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Mayor Says Cuts Won't Hurt Neighborhoods

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By MARK HOLAN

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 6, 2008

PORT TAMPA - Mayor Pam Iorio tonight said neighborhoods won't feel the pinch of smaller city government caused by the economic downturn.

"We are not cutting critical services," Iorio said during a town hall meeting at Westshore Elementary School.

She said the city won't cut police officers and she vowed to hire firefighters.

This year, the city cut its $761 million budget by $20 million, in part through layoffs. About $16 million is expected to be trimmed from next year's budget, which is due in August.

Iorio said the city has taken time "to plan and adapt" to having less revenue.

"The city of Tampa is not in any crisis mode," she said. "When the budget is passed it will be trimmed down, but I don't think you are going to feel the effects of the cutbacks."

In other business, Iorio promised to convene a special meeting about the widening of Gandy Boulevard. The $20 million project, which includes adding a landscaped median between the Gandy Bridge and South Dale Mabry Highway, is snarling South Tampa traffic, a sore point for many residents.

The meeting would bring together officials from the city, Florida Department of Transportation, and Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, and neighborhood leaders to discuss the road's future.

Iorio said she would call the meeting within a few months. The road work is expected to last about two years.

Iorio fielded questions for nearly two hours from about two dozen residents, with an equal number of city staffers and police officers also filling the school's media center.

Many residents had questions about speed bumps, stop signs and illegal dumping.

Port Tampa residents were assured they are next in line for the city's automated trash service, and Iorio repeated her opposition to ending twice-weekly collections.

She also vowed to expand the city's reclaimed water service.

Reporter Mark Holan can be reached at (813) 835-2102 or mholan@tampatrib.com.

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