BELLEAIR SHORE – Work began on preparing the upcoming fiscal year’s budget at the June 16 Town Commission meeting. Mayor John Robertson presented a tentative budget that cuts $4,000 expenses from last year’s budget of $89,400.
“I don’t think we have a whole lot of fat in the budget this year, and I see no reason for raising taxes when everybody else is lowering them,” Robertson said, in presenting the expense portion of the budget to the commission for review.
Among notable expenses to decline was a 10 percent drop, to $21,500, in the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office charge for police services. That was due to a decline in the town’s population coupled with an increase in Belleair Beach’s. The two are considered a unit in calculating the sheriff’s expense, Robertson said, adding, “We profited by our population loss.”
The police Mule utility vehicle is parked in back of Robertson’s house and patrols the beach on weekends, he said.
The revenue side of the budget was missing, as projected income will not be known until the “certification of taxable value” is provided by the county on July 1. That information will be used to determine the millage rate for the upcoming year, Robertson indicated.
Building permits and procedures ordinance becomes law
The commission unanimously approved on second and final reading an ordinance which sets time limits for completion of construction projects once a permit is pulled. Commissioners John E. Hayes Jr. and Raymond Piscitelli were absent from the meeting.
Under the new law, projects must be completed within two years of the time a permit is issued, although a six-month extension may be granted by the commission in extraordinary circumstances.
The ordinance also requires that applicants for construction permits be familiar with town regulations.
Strict enforcement of watering rules coming
Residents with reclaimed water are allowed to water their lawns on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m., Robertson said. Enforcement will be more stringent in the future due to a continuing water shortage in the area, he indicated.
Unkempt properties noted
Concern expressed by resident Deborah Roseman over an increasing number of unkempt properties in town was reinforced by comments made by commission members.
“Are you monitoring this?” she wanted to know.
Commissioner Robert Schmidt said certain properties “are beginning to look really shabby.” Upkeep concerns are “a constant thorn in our side,” Robertson put in.
Commissioner Richard Jordan said after the meeting that he considers Belleair Shore “one of the jewels of Pinellas County” but some properties owned by investors are not being maintained due to current economic conditions.
“We need to take this up in a more serious fashion,” he said.
The condition of a few properties, he added, is not acceptable.
