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Bracing For Bad-News Budget

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By JULIA FERRANTE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 24, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - With dwindling revenue and the effects of property tax changes still unknown, Pasco County officials are looking at cutting an estimated $22 million from their budget in coming months, officials said this week.

And Pasco County Sheriff Bob White's proposed spending plan, due to be released June 2, is sure to be on the chopping block, as the sheriff's office is the primary recipient of property tax revenue.

"As we've said before, these are different times, not only for local government but the state leadership as well," County Commission Chairman Ted Schrader said.

"We certainly are looking to the sheriff's budget for significant cuts to the general fund," he said.

County officials expect to take in about $14 million less in property tax and fire tax revenue in the coming fiscal year than they did this year, due to lower property values and a constitutional amendment that allows homeowners greater tax breaks, said Michael Nurrenbrock, the director of management and budget. About $161.5 million of the current $1.2 billion spending plan is supported by property taxes.

In addition, officials expect to carry over about $5.5 million less from reserve accounts because department heads have had to dip into those savings to cover expenses, Nurrenbrock said. Revenue from a half-cent sales tax has dropped by about $2 million, and state revenue sharing is expected to decline about $500,000. Interest income is down, too.

Adding to the strain, officials slashed about $16 million in spending last fiscal year to make up for state-mandated property tax cuts.
County Administrator John Gallagher, Nurrenbrock and his staff have been meeting with department heads in an effort to reduce spending. Gallagher has asked all departments to cut spending at least 8 percent.

Some divisions, such as planning and zoning and development review, will have to cut 20 percent.

Gallagher mandated a partial hiring freeze last summer in anticipation of harder times.

Reductions in the building department included the elimination of 14 inspectors and other staff, whose salaries are paid with building permit fees. All but two of those employees had been placed in other county jobs as of this week. One employee found a job with the school district. Another declined to be reassigned, personnel director Barbara De Simone said.

Additional layoffs are not out of the question, and some full-time positions could become part time, Gallagher said.

He is asking department heads to analyze work done by county employees and determine how many workers are needed for various tasks, such as reading water meters.

"We are trying to streamline as much as possible so we can try to save jobs," Gallagher said.

Department heads also are considering increasing fees to cover costs, and they are reducing services in some cases.

"We told everyone to spend only what they need to do their jobs," Nurrenbrock said. "If there is a book they want or a new chair, they aren't buying it. We are looking everywhere we can look to save."

Gallagher also has asked the sheriff, clerk of the court, supervisor of elections and tax collector to conserve spending and return as much as possible to the general fund. The county administrator also has told constitutional officers to hold off on salary increases for employees.

It's going to be difficult to find places to cut the budget this year, Commissioner Ann Hildebrand said.

"It's going to be a very, very tough nut to crack," she said.

White's office would not comment on his 2008-09 budget before it is released to the county commission, but sheriff's office spokesman Kevin Doll said White plans to conserve as much as possible.

Last year, White proposed a $94 million spending plan. After weeks of heated negotiations, the county commission slashed the sheriff's budget to $86 million.

Among the cost-saving measures White has taken this year are limits on off-duty use of vehicles by deputies. Tuition reimbursement also has been suspended.

"The sheriff has been stressing to county officials they need to prioritize public safety while at the same time trying to reduce spending that doesn't jeopardize protecting the public," Doll said. "Some of that is trying to give back to the general fund hoping we can get some of that back. We know the constraints everyone in the county is operating on."

The county could save close to $1 million in insurance costs in the coming year by changing insurance carriers, De Simone said. The board on Tuesday is set to consider switching from Blue Cross to Aetna, which would reduce the per-employee cost from $486 a month to $465 a month. Costs for family members also would decrease by about 4.5 percent.

Reporter Julia Ferrante can be reached at (813) 948-4220 or jferrante@tampatrib.com.

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