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Editorial
Toe the line
Article published on Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2007 |
Most local governments in Pinellas County are heeding the call from the state Legislature to reduce property taxes.
Many have plans to avoid laying off full-time employees either by shifting personnel, taking advantage of attrition or not funding unfilled positions. Other strategies include delaying projects and shaving budgets across the board.
At least for the next fiscal year, the property tax rollbacks to the rates for the 2006-07 fiscal year will not cripple local governments, but the worst is yet to come if Florida voters on Jan. 29 approve an increase in the homestead exemption and other tax-cut measures.
Local governments can avoid the first round of tax cuts by casting extraordinary votes, but, by doing so, they risk incurring the wrath of the voters at the polls. The betting line here is that when they vote to formally approve their millage and budgets for the next fiscal year, most governments will not buck the tax reform measures.
To convince the voters that they are serious about being frugal, cities and counties should look at areas of spending that raise voters’ ire. For instance, some elected officials are hesitant to cut back on traveling on the taxpayers’ dime. Certainly, travel to conferences has educational value for officials, but as Largo City Commissioner Andy Guyette said, “we, as a commission, need to show the community that we are willing to pull back as well.” That philosophy should also apply to their staffs – the rank and file of all agencies.
Another strategy embraced by several communities is to consider an increase in fees, such as for recreation. This is a practical move, since certain programs and classes are used by a limited amount of people. Hence, the term “users” fees.
Belleair officials, for example, are planning to charge residents who use the Dimmitt Community Center. The fee for residents, $30 a person, can hardly be called prohibitive.
Some towns and cities also are reducing expenditures for special events, such as Fourth of July fireworks. Small towns, particularly among the beaches, may find that they can save money by jointly funding events.
The cities of Treasure Island and Madeira Beach, officials say, are looking into merging their fireworks shows. That’s logical, since the two cities are located so close to each other.
Actions taken by local governments to roll back their millage and hold the line on spending will show that property owners’ complaints about high taxes – which are serious and valid – have not fallen on deaf ears. The referendum in January will determine if such measures are too little and too late.
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Article published on Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2007
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