Commission narrowly supports tax increase

By LISA GREENE

© St. Petersburg Times,
published August 22, 2001

Four Pinellas County Commissioners, a one-vote majority, said Tuesday night they're ready to approve a 3.4 percent increase in the property tax rate.

The proposed increase is smaller than the 4.8 percent increase they originally approved, but it was still too large for more than a dozen residents who complained to commissioners.

Commissioners must approve the final budget Aug. 28.

The county has no choice but to increase property tax rates to pay for costs that state lawmakers have passed along to them, the majority said.

"Our property taxes are being raised by others," said Commissioner Barbara Sheen Todd.

The state passes $85-million worth of unfunded mandates to the county, county staff members say. This year, that includes telling 41 Florida counties to buy new voting machines. The state will give Pinellas $1.3-million, but Pinellas estimates the machines could cost $15-million.

"We cannot absorb the $15-million for voter technology," said Commissioner Ken Welch.

But Commissioner Bob Stewart said the reasons given to justify the increase don't fly. Unfunded mandates and increasing operating costs are old problems, he said.

"I think it's inappropriate to lay this off on voter technology," he said.

Stewart, Commission Chairman Calvin Harris and Commissioner John Morroni voted against the increase. Todd, Welch, and Commissioners Susan Latvala and Karen Seel voted in favor. Commissioners voted the same way on the first budget vote last month -- a narrow margin for a board once known for recording unanimous votes.

The increase would raise taxes $15.07 for the average Pinellas homeowner whose house has an assessed value of $90,540, as long as the home's assessed value does not rise. The earlier rate would have meant a $21.63 increase for that homeowner.

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