Beaches notebook

By AMY WIMMER, ANDREW MEACHAM and SHEILA MULLANE ESTRADA

© St. Petersburg Times,
published August 26, 2001

Consultant to direct city's search

ST. PETE BEACH -- City commissioners, following the advice of local city managers, will hire a professional consultant to help search for a new city manager.

Commissioners had tentatively agreed to ask three area city managers to help draft an advertisement for the job and then help screen the candidates.

But Mayor Ward Friszolowski announced Tuesday that two of three managers he asked to participate suggested a professional consultant would be a better method for finding new management for St. Pete Beach.

Former City Manager Carl Schwing resigned in July after several department heads voiced to commissioners their inability to work with Schwing. Since then, Chris Brimo, formerly an assistant to Schwing, has served as acting city manager.

Commissioners also gave Brimo a vote of confidence Tuesday night. Commissioner Peter Blank said he was concerned that some people in St. Pete Beach, including some employees, have reacted to Brimo as if his decisions should not be taken seriously.

"I would like to make that very clear -- that he is the city manager," Blank said. "The community needs to know that. The rest of the employees need to know that. There have been some feelings that he doesn't have the authority to act as a city manager."

Redington Shores

A $250,000 program to repave many town streets highlighted the $2-million 2001-02 budget initially approved Wednesday by the Town Commission.

The budget represents a $416,937 increase in spending over the current year. In addition to the paving project, the town is planning to spend $100,000 for improvements to parks; $50,000 for drapes, handicapped access and a covered deck at the new town hall; $40,000 for sidewalks; and $37,000 for beautification of traffic islands and bus stops.

The property tax rate of 1.68 mills was left unchanged but will generate almost $56,000 in additional revenues because of increased property values. The owner of a home with an assessed value of $225,000, minus the homestead exemption, would pay $336 in property taxes. The final budget and millage rate is scheduled to be adopted Sept. 10.

Gulfport

The Fire Explorers, sponsored by Gulfport Fire & Rescue, are hosting an open house at 6 p.m. Sept. 9 at the fire station, 5314 23rd Ave. S.

The program is open to men and women ages 15-20. Fourteen-year-olds who have completed the eighth grade can participate.

The Explorers provide hands-on information to learn about career opportunities in firefighting. Additionally, the program is designed to help young adults learn the value of decisionmaking and develop some leadership skills.

Fire Explorers are associated with the Boy Scouts of America. The program is free.

Redington Beach

The millage rate is unchanged in the 2001-02 town budget initially approved Wednesday by commissioners, but homeowners likely will pay more taxes owing to a 10.11 percent increase in the county's assessment of their property.

The tax rate is 2.256 mills. The owner of a home assessed at $225,000, minus the homestead exemption, would pay $451.20 in taxes.

The town's $829,450 proposed budget also was approved, but questions by resident and former commissioner Debbie Bradbeer will prompt a review.

Vice Mayor Laura Canniff, who prepared the budget, said she would check with the town's accountant to determine whether coding or other errors were made. As a result, the commission said the Sept. 5 final hearing may be rescheduled. By law, the town must pass its budget and millage rate no later than Sept. 30.

-- Times staff writer Amy Wimmer and correspondents Andrew Meacham and Sheila Mullane Estrada contributed to this report.

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