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County Budget Passes; Sheriff Adds $3 Million

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By JULIA FERRANTE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 26, 2007

NEW PORT RICHEY - Calling it their greatest budget challenge in recent history, county commissioners approved a $1.21 billion spending plan Tuesday night for the fiscal year starting Oct. 1.

Based on a property tax rate of $5.43 per $1,000 of valuation, the budget includes a hard-fought increase of more than $3 million for Sheriff Bob White's office and $2 million for economic development. Nearly every other county department kept spending at or below this year's levels.

Residents in the fire and rescue taxing district must pay an additional 99.6 cents per $1,000.

The state Legislature asked counties to reduce property tax collections to give full-time homeowners a break. Pasco County had to slash 3 percent.

Gary Willner of Trinity gave a final pitch for the sheriff at Tuesday's public hearing, saying White's 'is the only agency that impacts every person every day in the county.'
John Connolly of the Fraternal Order of Police commended the board for giving raises to deputies and setting aside money for future hires.

Commissioner Michael Cox said the final budget was not what he envisioned on the campaign trail last year. 'Is everybody happy? No. I believe we have made a commitment to law enforcement ...when other departments went backwards.'

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