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Belleair Shore touts county's low millage
By WAYNE AYERS
| Article published on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009 |
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BELLEAIR SHORE – The Town Commission held a public hearing on Sept. 23 to approve a millage rate and budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
The new rate of 0.5988 mills is equal to the rollback rate needed to generate about the same revenue as last year. The millage is up from 0.5256 to make up for a decline in property values.
Still, the rate is the lowest in Pinellas County by far, as is the town’s budget of $78,837.
Overall income is expected to be about $10,000 less this year, due mostly to lower interest on investments. Revenues are down significantly from two years ago, when income was approaching $100,000.
Mayor John Robertson pointed out the town has no public buildings and rents meeting space at Belleair Bluffs City Hall. The only capital assets are three public beach accesses and the seawalls fronting them. The highest expenditure is for police protection from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, followed by garbage collection.
Following the budget hearing, a presentation of the town’s financial condition was given by Richard Cristini, CPA. He said the town had “a perfect financial curve” and a healthy fund balance.
Reserves were higher than the standard recommendation, which is typical for beach communities that face potential heavy damage from storms. The town would have a massive cleanup following a bad hurricane, Robertson said, and the reserve funds would probably be consumed right away.
Unkempt properties need attention
The current special master system is not working to resolve the continuing problem of properties which are not maintained by their owners, Robertson said. Resident Deborah Roseman has complained of yards overgrown with weeds and high grass, and general neglect of a few properties.
“They’re not getting any better,” she commented after the meeting.
Robertson called the special master process “too cumbersome, too expensive and too slow.” The town needs to send one letter to offenders saying, in effect, “Clean up your property, or we will, and send you a bill,” he said.
Belleair Beach is considering an ordinance addressing the unkempt property issue which could be used as a guide, Robertson indicated.
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Article published on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009
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