The entire crew of the Belleair Bluffs Fire Department gathers at Monday night’s City Commission meeting as firefighters were sworn in.
BELLEAIR BLUFFS – A year ago, city commissioners were unhappily facing a possible 9.7 percent increase in the police budget submitted by the Sheriff’s Office.
At the time, Commissioner Robert Russo told Lt. Robert Fletcher from the office of the chief deputy that he did not intend to sit back and see the budget skyrocket. Commissioner Hunt Brand had informed Fletcher that a 10 percent increase would not fly.
“We can’t do this – you have to cut back,” Brand told Fletcher.
The Sheriff’s Office apparently got the message. The police budget was cut back to a 6 percent increase. This year the news was even better.
Belleair Bluffs’ $422,000 policing budget for the upcoming fiscal year approved by the commission Monday night represented a 3.79 percent increase over the current budget. Police Commissioner David Shimkus, obviously pleased with the final number, urged that the contract be signed and sent back to the Sheriff’s Office ASAP.
The commission complied in a 4-0 vote. Commissioner Russo was absent.
Asked after the meeting to comment on the smaller increase, Shimkus said the Sheriff’s Office has reduced their own expenses, realizing that every municipality is cutting back their budget.
“They have passed the savings on to us,” Shimkus said.
Firefighters honored
Recently hired fire Chief Patrick Competelli recognized the entire fire department as “the most dedicated firefighters I have ever worked with.” Competelli said firefighting is entering a new era of the universal responder, and he spoke of the extensive training members of the department are receiving in rescue, EMS, and firefighting operations.
Among the firefighters recognized for long service records were: Driver/Engineer/EMT Steve Langere (26 plus years), Lt. Joe Martens (25 years), Lt. Chuck Barlet (22 years), and Lt. Dale Fletcher (19 years). Firefighter Clint Faulkner was mentioned as the first paramedic in the Bluffs department.
Code enforcement fairness questioned
Resident Steve Yudell, who has been cited for having illegal antennas on his property, asked why another resident had not been similarly cited for what he said were satellite dish violations. Public Works Director Robert David said the offending property owner on Southwind Drive was recently notified of the violation.
Yudell responded that the city had taken much longer to deal with that offense than his own.
“Does the city have equal enforcement? Obviously not,” said Yudell.
Mayor Chris Arbutine said Yudell’s accusations were unfounded.
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