Candidates' Visits To Tampa Bay Area Cost Taxpayers Big Bucks

Now that the presidential election is over, here's another tally: what the candidates' visits cost taxpayers.

With the Tampa Bay area being part of a key region in a closely contested large state, candidates and their surrogates came here often. At the same time, the economy is forcing local governments to reduce spending and eliminate positions.

Even so, eight local police and rescue agencies spent at least $175,000 since April during campaign visits by Barack Obama, Joe Biden, John McCain and Sarah Palin.

WHAT THEY DID

The U.S. Secret Service provides security for the candidates, but local agencies provide additional staffing as needed. That included helping sweep for explosives, controlling crowds, directing traffic and providing escorts.

WHAT IT COST

•Tampa police spent $100,826 on nine visits.

•The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office spent $18,727 for the candidates' visits, and another $2,785 to cover a visit from Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.

•The New Port Richey police spent $15,468 in salaries and overtime during visits from Biden and Palin.

•Clearwater police and fire agencies spent $9,746 in overtime to cover a Palin visit.

•University of South Florida police spent $5,177 to handle McCain's April 29 speech and Biden's Oct. 8 appearance.

•St. Petersburg police paid officers about $5,300 during stops by Obama and McCain.

•The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office spent $24,796 to cover visits from McCain, Obama and Palin.

•Pasco County sheriff's spokesman Kevin Doll said between 25 and 50 deputies handled the candidates' escorts there, but the agency didn't calculate a personnel cost.

WHAT'S EXPECTED

New Port Richey police will bill the campaigns for reimbursement. Clearwater is not reimbursed for personnel costs but has been reimbursed $22,000 for fencing, risers and other expenses. Other agencies said they don't expect to recoup the costs.

Valerie Kalfrin, Lisa A. Davis, Josh Politove and Stephen Thompson