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Public To Add Its 2 Cents At Budget Talks

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By KEVIN WIATROWSKI

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 6, 2008

Pasco County's budget for 2009 will be the subject of a public hearing by county commissioners Monday evening.

The hearing is set for 6:30 p.m. at the historic Pasco County Courthouse, 37918 Meridian Ave., Dade City.

The $980 million budget represents the first time in three years the county's finances have dipped below $1 billion - a reflection of revenue lost to the moribund housing market and to statewide tax reform passed this year.

The budget saves taxpayers about $115 each on their property bills, but offsets that with higher fees for parks, planning, zoning and development services, and about $3.8 million more to compensate for higher fuel costs. There also are 44 fewer full-time positions than this fiscal year, although some jobs are being added.

The 2008-09 spending plan is based on maintaining the current tax rate of $5.43 per $1,000 of property valuation. The tax for fire and rescue services also will hold steady at 99.55 cents per $1,000 of valuation.

This year's budget process has avoided the kind of public face-offs that captured attention last year when Sheriff Bob White objected to county commissioners' plans for large cuts to his funding.

Monday's hearing will be the first of two scheduled this month. Any revisions to the budget will be made between the hearings. The final budget goes into effect Oct. 1.

Reporter Kevin Wiatrowski can be reached at (813) 948-4201 or kwaitrowski@tampatrib.com.

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