When the Pinellas County Commission learned recently it was in danger of overspending its Penny for Pinellas revenues by more than $100-million and might have to eliminate some projects, several commissioners expressed surprise. Commissioner John Morroni called it "a shockeroo." Yet only days earlier, Morroni and five other commissioners voted to spend $2.5-million more than budgeted on widening Keystone Road, a Penny for Pinellas project. Did Morroni and the others think the extra $2.5-million was coming from the Pennies from Heaven fund?

Keystone Road is only the latest Penny project that the County Commission either spent more for or added to the list. Others include: criminal courts complex and jail (cost $35-million more than budgeted), medical examiner facility ($6.2-million more), Epicenter ($8-million, added to list), emergency radio system ($20-million, added to list). The Bayside Bridge was not on the original Penny for Pinellas list because it was to be financed by tolls. By deciding not to put a toll on the road, the commission spent $96-million of Penny revenues, obviously affecting future projects.

When Pinellas County voters were asked to approve the sales tax extension through 2010 (65 percent of them did so), they were shown a list of projects that would be completed with the expected $755-million. Was that a "wish list," as some commissioners say, or a "promise list," as some residents insist? Experience tells us it was something between wish and promise.

It would be naive to think the list wouldn't change over a decade. Tax revenues might be less than anticipated, projects' costs could be more, and political priorities often change. But most Pinellas County residents probably expected commissioners to stick to the script unless there was a good reason not to. Yes, it was a political decision to substitute Penny for Pinellas revenues for a toll on the Bayside Bridge, but most residents have applauded that choice.

Commissioners' credibility has been damaged not because they made decisions that shortened the project list but because they didn't clearly explain to residents that they were doing so, and why. Commissioners can begin to rebuild trust by holding public hearings each time they deviate from the Penny for Pinellas list. When they add a project to the list or increase an existing project's cost, they should choose existing projects that will be delayed or removed because of that decision. They should hear from residents who will be affected by the decision, and they should give clear reasons for their actions. They should try to find other revenue to finish projects that were promised but bumped from the list. But no more "shockeroos."

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