BELLEAIR BLUFFS -- Mayor John Robertson presented a preliminary town budget for 2006 that brings expenses down by about $18,000 and will reduce Belleair Shore taxpayers' millage rate to less than a mill.
Robertson told the Belleair Shore Town Commission at its meeting here May 18 that the first budget hearing would be August31 and the second and final hearing September 14.
The commission will meet June 15 and will not meet in July. The August meeting will be combined with the budget hearing date.
The commission reviewed the report from Belleair Beach regarding rebates from the sewer charges and found the report totally inadequate.
A meeting is planned between Robertson and Belleair Beach oficials but Commissioner Bob Schmidt, backed by his colleagues, insisted that they have a legal opinion on a 1969 contract between the two cities regarding sewer service.
Before Belleair Beach imposed exorbitant sewer fees in 2003, Belleair Shore had paid for sewer service for the households in the tiny town.
The fees prior to the increase were based on households. The fee schedule adopted by Belleair Beach in 2003 was based on volume and the town could no longer afford to pay for sewer and the cost reverted to households.
In seeking rebates, the town is acting on behalf of its citizens. Schmidt said he found the report totally inadequate and was joined by Commissioners John Hayes and Carl Hilton in this view.
John Elias, the town attorney, will review all previous contracts and codicils that were made with Belleair Beach and provide a legal opinion.
Elias cautioned strongly against litigation because of its high cost.
Hayes pointed out that the report settled any question about funds being owed. "This acknowledges that they owe us money," he said. "The only question now is how much."
Bob Clayton, a resident and former mayor of the town, was at the meeting complaining about an ongoing problem of trespassing on his property and his inability to get satisfaction from the police.
Belleair Beach provides police services for Belleair Shore. Clayton has long been dissatisfied with Belleair Beach police.