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THE SUNCOAST NEWS

Published: January 31, 2009

The nationwide economic downtown is offering few signs it is about to reverse course. This has government on all levels scrambling to keep spending in line with falling revenue. Under such circumstances, public officials should welcome whatever help they can get in shouldering this burden. City government in Tarpon Springs appears to be on the verge of having that sort of assistance.

This week the City Commission asked City Attorney James Yacavone to draft an ordinance creating a volunteer board that would advise the commission on budgetary matters. Commissioner Chris Alahouzos, who had been calling for the creation of a budget board, said he hopes the panel will, among other things, produce cost-saving ideas for the city.

Although they agreed to consider the advisory board ordinance, some commissioners expressed concern board members might not grasp the ins and outs of municipal budgeting and could bog down staff with a lot of questions. Interim City Manager Mark LeCouris noted the city had such a board at one time but it became mired in political issues.

If commissioners appoint the right people to the board neither of those concerns should be a problem. Dunedin has had a similar financial advisory board for years and it generally gets high marks for contributing to the city's financial health. If Dunedin can do it Tarpon Springs can, too.

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