|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
County relaxes scrutiny of fortunetellers, charitable solicitors
By SUZETTE PORTER
Article published on Thursday, March 1, 2007 |
CLEARWATER – Justice and Consumer Services won’t exactly be turning a blind eye toward fortunetellers and charitable solicitors, but fewer resources will be devoted toward those activities in the future.
County Commissioners unanimously approved on Feb. 20 amendments to ordinances that govern fortunetellers and charitable solicitors. Staff with Justice and Consumer Services recommended the amendments because of a lack of significant complaints with either industry. Staff also said that resources within the department were needed elsewhere.
The fortuneteller ordinance, which was enacted six years ago, was amended to suspend for two years the enforcement provision to allow commissioners to decide if regulation of the fortunetelling industry is still needed. Fortunetellers are no longer required to register, pay a fee or report their activities.
During the fiscal year 2005-06, Justice and Consumer Services received $12,000 in revenue from fortuneteller fees. Personnel costs were $10,731.
Since 1993, Justice and Consumer Services have registered organizations and individuals who solicit for charitable contributions to allow it to monitor fraudulent activities.
According to documentation, the ordinance was originally intended to generate enough revenue to support the administrative and regulatory services. Based on a fiscal year 2005-06 analysis, the department received $94,890 in revenue from fees associated with the ordinance. Personnel costs were $326,010.
Staff said eliminating the expense involved with licensing fortunetellers and registering charitable solicitors would allow personnel to be moved to the dispute resolution section to improve investigation and mediation services for consumer-business disputes. Dispute Resolution averages about 35,000 telephone calls and 2,500 new cases a year.
In other business, commissioners:
- unanimously approved the 2007 Recreation Grant and Reimbursement Program. The program benefits about 30,000 unincorporated residents who use recreational programs provided by municipalities.
- unanimously approved spending $858,000 to improve the machines at the South Cross Bayou Reclamation Facility to cut down on repair bills and staff time.
- listened to an update of plans for future development of Toytown, a former landfill in St. Petersburg.
- listened to a report on staff’s inspection of the former PSTA building now owned by the city of Largo. Talks are continuing regarding its use as a homeless resource center.
- discussed a request from the public to find funding to complete the Pinellas Trail by the year 2020.
- listened to a report on the latest from Tallahassee regarding the tax situation and recommended that government officials and the public continue communications with state leaders.
- viewed a DVD presentation of Penny for Pinellas projects with citizen’s testimonials that was being presented to the public.
- scheduled a Feb. 21 executive session to discuss the charter amendment lawsuit.
- did not second a motion to adopt a resolution to include newly annexed properties into the city of Largo’s Clearwater-Largo Road Corridor Redevelopment District. Commissioners were concerned that some of the properties were involved in an annexation lawsuit.
- approved a change order to an agreement with Coastal Marine Construction for repair of the Dunedin Causeway Bridges.
- heard a report on activities with the Friendship Trail from Commissioner Bob Stewart. Stewart said bathroom facilities and the new entrance should be ready to open by mid-April.
- watched a check presentation ceremony to the first employees benefiting from the new incentive program.
- accepted a challenge from the Clearwater Branch of the YMCA Suncoast Florida for Florida on the Move between commissioners and the county’s youth. The goal is to promote the concept of 30 minutes of physical activity every day after school.
|
Article published on Thursday, March 1, 2007
Copyright © Tampa Bay Newspapers: All rights reserved. |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tampa Bay Newspapers
9911 Seminole Blvd.
Seminole, FL 33772
(727) 397-5563
Open Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
|
|
