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Pinellas Commission tentatively approves $1.95 billion budget for 2015

 
Published Sept. 12, 2014

CLEARWATER — The Pinellas County Commission is bringing its next budget in for a landing after the smoothest ride in years.

The Commission held the first of two budget hearings Thursday and tentatively approved a $1.95 billion spending plan for 2015.

Higher-than-expected property values helped turn a projected deficit into a cushion of about $4 million. The board also used an $11 million rainy day fund to deal with neglected areas now that economic clouds have cleared a bit.

Here are some highlights:

Tax rates stay same

After two consecutive years of property tax rate hikes, the board decided not to change the general fund and unincorporated area tax rates. The general fund rate, which is paid by property owners countywide, remains at 5.2755 mills. That equates to $527.55 for an average homeowner whose property is valued at $100,000 with exemptions included.

The unincorporated area millage rate, paid by owners whose property is not in one of the county's 24 cities, remains at 2.0857, adding $208.57 to the bill.

East Lake residents will pay a new tax. In June, the County Commission approved a taxing district to fund the East Lake Youth Sports Association. The proposed levy is a quarter mill, which is 25 cents for every $1,000 of property value.

Stormwater fee review

The controversial stormwater fee passed last year is staying the same for now. But a flood of unhappy residents who showed up Thursday prompted commissioners to direct staff to come up with a fairer way to apply it.

Last year, the Commission approved a rate schedule that charges business and home­owners by how much of their property is covered by asphalt and concrete and is considered nonpermeable. Property owners pay $116 for every 2,339 square feet of impervious surface.

The annual revenue, $19.2 million projected for 2015, combined with Penny for Pinellas funds is spent on pipe maintenance, drainage systems and efforts to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus in the county's water bodies. Without these fixes, the county could face federal fines and expensive cleanup efforts to deal with pollution.

But two busloads of mobile home park residents showed up to complain about drastic increases in their TRIM notices. County staff said data used to calculate some assessments last year was incomplete, resulting in artificially low bills.

Others complained the process to secure credits for features such as retention ponds is flawed.

The board approved the fee but told staff to address the problems.

Extra for public safety

Pinellas Sheriff Bob Gualtieri will receive $10.7 million above the $235.6 million target the county had set.

Gualtieri had asked commissioners for $15 million to address pay disparities among his employees and to replace aging patrol cars, radios and other technology. He plans to put about $8 million toward pay increases.

Employees get raise

For a second straight year, the budget includes 3 percent raises for full-time county employees. The pay increases for 2,178 workers will cost $3.5 million. County Administrator Mark Woodard said the goal is to keep the county competitive in the labor market.

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Dental care funding

The budget includes $500,000 in recurring funds to expand a dental care program for the needy. Members of the interfaith advocacy group FAST, which stands for Faith and Action for Strength Together, asked commissioners to increase that to $4.3 million. The money would allow the Health Department to run its six dental clinics at full capacity and see another 10,900 patients per year.

Board members said they'll try to increase funding next year.

Contact Tony Marrero at tmarrero@tampabay.com or (727) 893-8779. Follow @tmarrerotimes.