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Proposed budget calls for service cuts
It’s based on a $3 million shortage and with no employee layoffs for now
By THOMAS MICHALSKI
Article published on Friday, June 1, 2007 |
PINELLAS PARK – City officials have pieced together a proposed 2007-08 fiscal budget that creates a hiring freeze, reduces some city services and eliminates some nonessential programs should the city lose up to $3 million due to state tax reform legislation.
The proposal, however, does not have the blessings of the City Council and will most likely undergo amendments before final action.
The plan does not include layoffs of city personnel, but that possibility is not out of the question should the expected $3 million in city revenues ultimately be greater.
“Right now there are no layoffs planned,” said Michael Gustafson. “But I cannot say that it will not happen in the future.”
The proposed budget is based on the Legislature approving a tax reform package that would mean a $3 million cut in property taxes. Should that figure go to $4 million or $5 million then the chances of furloughs are greater.
Gustafson said the proposed budget was hammered out with the help of department heads and other city officials. It calls for about 12 employee positions to remain vacant. That includes two police officers, two building development inspectors, a deputy fire chief, a firefighter, administrative clerks and others.
“The employee cost savings will be through attrition, meaning that we will not fill open positions,” Gustafson said.
Additionally, travel allowances for such things as noncompulsory training, shirts for city workers, the city newsletter and other nonessential programs will be reduced or eliminated.
“While there are many rumors about mass layoffs the fact is that none are scheduled,” Gustafson said. “We are watching costs in other ways that for the moment does not include furloughing city workers.”
Gustafson said the reduction in services will hardly be noticed by the public since no vital services such as police and fire will be affected.
Gustafson said the city has been on a tight budget for the last four years. He said while services did not suffer during that period, taxpayers enjoyed a stabilized millage rate. Last September the City Council even slightly reduced the rate, thereby saving some tax dollars for hard pressed property owners already facing dizzying homeowner insurance and cost increases.
Gustafson said the city will wait to act on the proposed budget until after the state Legislature settles on a tax reform package. That could happen in June.
State Senators Janet Long, D-Seminole, Dennis Jones, R-Treasure Island, and state Rep. Bill Heller, D-St. Petersburg, are holding a series of public hearings to seek public input on ways to resolve skyrocketing property taxes.
Tallahassee lawmakers have been squabbling over tax reform since January and have yet to settle on a plan that is acceptable to everyone. Some Pinellas County cities already announced or noted the possibility of employee layoffs. Budgets are being molded and set aside until the final tax reform package is approved at the state level.
“We don’t know how much money the city will lose,” Gustafson said. “No one knows and that’s why it is so difficult to plan for the future.”
Adding to the confusion is that the city is currently in negotiations with four municipal employee unions for what is expected to be another three-year package.
The unions represent the city’s superior police office, rank and file officers, firefighters and public employees.
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Article published on Friday, June 1, 2007
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