Northpinellas: Tarpon library program still in business

TARPON SPRINGS -- City Commissioners are considering paying for a business assistance program at the Tarpon Springs Library by taking away city funding from a similar program at the Tarpon Springs Chamber of Commerce.

During a budget workshop Monday night, commissioners agreed in principle to giving the library $31,000 in order to keep business reference librarian Salvatore Miranda. Miranda, 37, has held the position for almost a year through money from a federal grant.

"I'm very pleased with the support the city has shown for the program," Miranda said Tuesday.

Commissioners said the program is so successful that it should be funded through the city. Miranda gives information to people who run or plan to start small businesses.

The city probably will shift the $20,000 that it now pays to fund part of the Chamber of Commerce's program, then find another $11,000 for the remainder.

"This money would be better spent than it would be with the chamber position," Commissioner Karen Brayboy said.

"Too bad we can't have both," Commissioner Jim Archer said.

The chamber's program has encountered some turmoil. Last year, commissioners decided the city and county should have more oversight of the program after two people who held the position resigned.

Now, it is unclear what will happen with the position. Pat McGarr, the interim director of the chamber, said she had just learned of the commission's plans Tuesday afternoon and did not know what would happen next. Cliff Thomson has held the position since February, she said.

Commissioners and city officials are working out the details of the city's 2001-02 budget and will vote on it next month. The proposed budget includes expenditures of $34.9-million, compared with about $38-million in the current fiscal year.

"It's very similar" to the current year, said Mayor Frank DiDonato. "There really isn't any big change."

The primary difference between the 2002 budget and the current one is that there will be fewer capital projects this year, said Arie Walker, the city's finance director.

The budget is based on keeping the same millage rate as in the current fiscal year. After two years of cutting the tax rate, the city proposes a rate of about 4.95 mills, or $4.95 in tax for every $1,000 of assessed, non-exempt property value.

For someone who had a home assessed at $125,000 and received a $25,000 homestead exemption, that would translate into a city tax bill of $494.54 next year.

The budget includes increases for books and supplies at the library, some city maintenance projects and most salaries and wages. Slightly less money is included for the city-run golf course and other projects.

Brayboy, who said during her campaign she would keep a close eye on the city's finances, said the city is producing a solid budget.

"They've obviously done a good job of holding the line," she said. "I don't see a lot of waste in it."

She said she still has some questions about travel expenses for commissioners. In the current fiscal year, $7,500 was budgeted and spent for travel. In the new budget, $9,000 is proposed.

"It kind of did surprise me," she said, "It's up there."

With regard to other projects, DiDonato said the city should work toward creating baseball fields for 15-, 16- and 17-year-olds. The city has been promising to create the fields since 1992, he said. He suggested that fields could be built on city property behind Helen Ellis Memorial Hospital.

Brayboy said the city should focus more on the golf course in future years, and Archer suggested that improvements be made to the clubhouse.

Commissioners plan to vote on the proposed budget during public meetings on Aug. 20 and 27.

-- Staff writer Katherine Gazella can be reached at (727) 445-4182.

Back to North Pinellas news

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright

Special Links

Mary Jo Melone

Howard Troxler

From the Times
North Pinellas desks