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Economic issues to top Tarpon Springs news in 2009

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BY MARK SCHANTZ

THE SUNCOAST NEWS

Published: December 27, 2008

TARPON SPRINGS - This city's 2009 to-do list will focus on dealing with the nation's worst economic downtown in decades while revitalizing local businesses.

"Next year the city will continue to face impacts of the economic downtown that everyone is experiencing," said Mayor Beverley Billiris. "We are going to continue to do more with less."

The good news is Tarpon Springs is in good enough financial shape to weather this economic storm, Billiris said. The city will move forward with completing several projects, including revitalization of tourist districts and construction of a reverse osmosis drinking water treatment plant.

Major roadway restoration projects along Tarpon and Pinellas avenues will be completed with installation of landscaping and old-fashioned street lamps.
Interim City Manager Mark LeCouris said the city will more forward and not stand still, even in tough economic times. City officials will be selective when it comes to allocating funding, he said.

In order to pay for all its services, Tarpon Springs likely will have to take at least $1 million more from reserve funds to balance the city's fiscal 2010 budget, LeCouris said.

The city is looking at a big shortfall in revenue because of the economic downtown, LeCouris said. Property and sales tax revenue, construction permit fees, and other sources of income are likely to bring much less to the city in the coming year, he said.

The city has been amassing reserves for just these tough times, LeCouris said. The reserve funds likely will have to be tapped for fiscal 2011 as well, and then the economy should begin rebounding, he said.

There is more good news, officials say. Business owners at the Sponge Docks and downtown are excited about the city's plan to foster economic redevelopment, LeCouris said. For the first time in a long time, people want to get involved in the effort, he said.

The first step of beautifying these areas to attract new business has begun.

Next year, an economic development plan will be put in place to attract new business, LeCouris said.

Next year should bring more events to the Sponge Docks and downtown as the city looks to attract visitors to Tarpon Springs.

Projects will not stand still, LeCouris said. The city will continue to do more with less, he said.

The city is also working to acquire the portion of Tarpon Avenue east of Pinellas Avenue from the Florida Department of Transportation.

The move will enable the city to further beautify its main downtown street without having to follow strict state guidelines.

The first phase of development of the Meres Crossing project, viewed as the major commercial gateway into downtown from the south, should begin next year.

The project will provide motorists with access from Pinellas Avenue to U.S. 19 along an extended Meres Boulevard.

The orderly change in city government, with the resignation of former City Manager Ellen Posivach, topped the news this past year, Mayor Billiris said. The city is used to change, which in this case was for the better, she said.

City commissioners praised LeCouris for his meeting with residents, addressing their issues and soliciting their comments since the departure of Posivach.

This week Posivach was named interim city manager in Port Richey.

The issue over whether Wal-Mart should be permitted to construct a 200,000-square-foot Supercenter retail complex in the city's northern territory, on the Anclote River, promises to drag in into its fifth year in 2009.

Wal-Mart officials decided to put development plans on hold after eagles were located on the site and a public outcry from environmentalists caused important City Commission votes to go against the retailer.

Environmentalists want the county or city to purchase the Wal-Mart property. Both are dealing with the economic downtown, however, and neither has the funds required to make such a deal, local officials note. Wal-Mart has said it will hold on to the land for at least a few years.

Mark Schantz can be reached at 727-815-1075 or mschantz@suncoastnews.com.

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