For the Record
By DAVE SHELTON
Article published on Thursday, March 22, 2007  |
Meeting date changed
LARGO – The City Commission rescheduled its regular meeting date from April 3 to April 4 in recognition of the Jewish Passover which begins at sunset April 2 and continues through sunset, April 10.
Only Commissioner Mary Gray Black opposed the change, suggesting the meeting be moved to the following Tuesday and the work session scheduled for that night be put off for one day.
City gets financial ‘Bill of Health’
The city’s independent auditor said “the city of Largo remained in sound financial condition at the end of Fiscal Year 2006 (Sept. 30).”
The annual report noted, however, that “Several major revenue sources are not growing as fast as expenses, which may impact the city’s ability to increase future spending.
“Lower revenue growth may require additional borrowing or may require tax or fee increases,” said city Chief Financial Officer Kim Adams, after reviewing the audit report by the auditing firm, Cherry, Bekaert and Holland.
And, he said, “the community development department recorded a record number of building permits in FY 2006” and “indicators point to continued positive experience in the future.”
Demand growing for site
Developers, one proposing a public storage facility, are knocking on the door for the former Winn-Dixie property at the corner of East Bay Drive and Highland Avenue, according to Acting City Manager Norton “Mac” Craig.
The property owner had proposed a mixed use of the property with residential, retail and office space. He had suggested that the city buy part of the property for a recreation site or for relocation of the city’s Community Center.
Commissioners discussed this in January and suggested they would prefer the property owner, Dushyant Gulati, give the property to the city. They were also not anxious to help the owner build a parking garage on the site.
County to fund park projects
Acting City Manager Norton “Mac” Craig has reported two city projects may be approved for county funding this year. The city could receive $84,450 to erect protective walls around the roller hockey rink in Northeast Park and $12,600 for new starting blocks in the racing pool at the Southwest Recreation Complex.
Craig explained that the county’s parks department has approved funding that must be approved by the Pinellas County Commission.
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Article published on Thursday, March 22, 2007
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