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Pinellas Officials Want To Hear Program Cut Ideas

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By Mark  Schantz | The Suncoast News

Published: February 27, 2009

Updated:

PALM HARBOR - Pinellas County officials plan to cut 20 to 30 percent from general fund spending in fiscal year 2010.

First, however, they want to hear where Pinellas residents would drop the budget ax.

The county will hold town hall-type work sessions on budget priorities. The north county work session will be held 5:30 - 8 p.m. this Tuesday, March 3, at Palm Harbor University High School, 1900 Omaha St.

County staff will consider comments from commissioners and the public in deciding what programs to fund in next fiscal year's budget.

The county cannot continue to provide the current level of service with revenue it can expect to collect in fiscal year 2010, County Administrator Robert LaSala said at a recent budget session. The county's next budget year begins Oct. 1.

The county faces a significant reduction in sales tax and property tax revenue, which comprises about 75 percent of general fund revenue, said LaSala. He is putting together his first budget since being hired as county administrator.

During a recent work session, county commissioners said they would like to see what programs can be trimmed, what services can be consolidated and what the services the private sector or other governmental agencies could provide.

For example, earlier this month commissioners discussed significant reductions in Pinellas Animal Control services. They proposed eliminating the department's Animobile, a mobile veterinary surgery unit, and letting private animal rescue agencies provide spay and neuter and adoption services.

In addition, county funding for business assistance programs local chambers of commerce provide and the county's air quality program could be cut, commissioners said.

Another option is freezing the creation of any more municipal community redevelopment agencies. Under CRA programs cities get property tax revenue for downtown redevelopment that otherwise would be up in the county's coffers.

The county's two environmental research and educational centers, at the Brooker Creek and Weedon Island preserves, could see funding for programs reduced or eliminated.

Anything the county can merge or consolidate with the cities needs to be done, LaSala said.

As part of the budget process county officials will decide how much funding local cities and fire districts receive to hire paramedics and fund emergency medical services without raising taxes.

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

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