Pinellas commissioners approve slimmed-down budget

CLEARWATER — Pinellas County's next budget eliminates 865 jobs, and it reduces spending by 17 percent next year.

But the most notable thing left out Tuesday night was County Commissioner Neil Brickfield's approval.

The board passed the nearly $1.7 billion budget in a 6-1 vote.

Afterward, Brickfield said he voted no because the county staff didn't answer all of his questions about services and spending, though he did not suggest the budget had a serious hole.

"If you didn't get all your questions answered, would you vote for it?" asked Brickfield, who began serving on the board in November.

But County Administrator Bob LaSala said officials answered more than 150 questions from Brickfield, spending 50 "man hours" to do it.

"I answered every question he gave us. If he's got other questions, I haven't seen them," LaSala said.

Brickfield acknowledged the budget was complex. Tuesday's vote ended months of hearings and debate over how to deal with a $70 million shortfall in revenue, notably property taxes, that pay for many services.

Of the eliminated positions, 285 are layoffs effective Sept. 30. The reductions will mean higher fees and longer waits for services, though the county shelved a proposal to raise park fees. A hearing will be held Tuesday on higher utility fees, typically $4 for a household.

In July, the board rejected Commissioner Ken Welch's plan to raise the property tax rate to help ease some cuts.

The commission also rejected a third stab at adding money to the county's housing trust fund. Members of Faith and Action for Strength Together had sought $3 million to $5 million.

Creating the fund in 2006, the county pledged to put in $30 million over three years. But the fund has received only $19 million, and nothing for next year. Commissioner John Morroni's proposal to add $1.4 million failed in a 5-2 vote Tuesday, supported only by Commissioner Karen Seel.

David DeCamp can be reached at ddecamp@sptimes.com or (727) 893-8779.