City Budget Moving Toward ApprovalBy Renee BurrellBELLEAIR BEACH - Citizens received good news last month when the city council, in spite of declining property values, announced property taxes wouldn't be increased in the new budget. The proposed 2009 millage rate of 1.98 remained unchanged from the current rate. At the August 4 city council budget work session, public hearings on the proposed budget for the 2008-2009 fiscal year were set for September 4 at 5 p.m. and September 17 at 6 p.m. Meetings are held in the Council Chambers located at 1001 Cedar Drive. On August 7, the city's Finance Officer, Maria Kemp provided a copy of the city's proposed budget summary. The general, marina and capital projects funds as outlined in the summary totaled $2,220,059. According to the proposed budget, revenues in the general fund from taxes and other monies collected total $1,894,098. The largest amount drawn from the fund will cover public works costs at $748,541. Others are city administrator's salaries, non-departmental costs, sanitation and law enforcement contracted through the Pinellas County Sheriff at $401,967, a very slight increase from last year's amount. Marina fund revenues and expenditures are projected at $63,734. Contributions from this fund to the general fund will be in the amount of $29,249. Operating expenditures and capital improvements are expected to total $21,500 with depreciation at $12,985. The capital projects fund revenues from taxes and interest income are $262,227 with the total amount of expenditures going to capital outlay. Belleair Beach has previously been recognized and awarded for its budgeting. In October 2007, the Government Finance Officers Association presented the city with the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award. And, in 2006, the city received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Finance Reporting.
|