NORTH REDINGTON BEACH – In an economic climate where many beach towns facing reduced revenues are severely cutting back services for their residents, North Redington Beach has maintained both its millage rate and the town’s services.
The Board of Commissioners passed the town’s budget for fiscal year 2009-10 at a special meeting Sept. 10 just before its regular meeting.
The millage rate remains the same at .7511 mills and is 14.8 percent below the role back rate. A 14 percent drop in property valuations has cut the town’s revenue by more than $44,000 as well as other reduced revenues expected to bring the town’s total income shortages to a total of $80,000.
Years of fiscal conservatism have left the town with reserves in excess of $4 million, giving North Redington Beach the leverage to sustain services and make up the shortfall.
All the residents who came forward during public input commended commissioners for their work in keeping the town financially sound. Mayor Bill Queen acknowledged that North Redington Beach has “the lowest (millage) rate in Pinellas County of towns who have employees.”
At the regular meeting that followed the special meeting, the consent agenda included a resolution authorizing the execution of a three-year contract with the Gulf Beaches Public Library.
There being no old business, new business began with an update regarding Determination of Consistency, presented by David Healey, executive director and Christopher Mettler, program planner of the Pinellas Planning Council.
Vice Mayor Jerry Knight serves as vice chairman on the Pinellas Planning Council and was recognized by Healey and Mettler for his contribution to the organization.
The process of updating North Redington Beach’s land use plans to be consistent with Pinellas County received a resolution approved by the Board of County Commissioners sitting as the Countywide Planning Authority last month. Knight expressed his “appreciation for the relationship” with the Pinellas Planning Council that facilitated North Redington Beach meeting the requirements to achieve the updated Determination of Consistency.
An ordinance relating to the municipal elections passed on its first reading. The municipal election to elect Commissioners in seats 3 and 4 will be held March 9.
The qualifying period for that election will be Dec. 4, Dec. 18.
The town’s Capital Improvement Plan for the years 2010 to 2014 passed on its first reading.
