Indian Rocks Beach to Interview for City TreasurerINDIAN ROCKS BEACH -- Four candidates have been identified for the position of city treasurer in Indian Rocks Beach. Preliminary interviews will be held with each candidate Monday, December 29, to select two finalists for selection in January. The candidates to be interviewed Monday are Janice Kelly, Earl “Sandy” Sanders, Matthew R. Schmelzer and Almon G. Turner, Jr. Final selection will be contingent upon completion of background checks. Last month the city commission voted 3 to 2 to end the employment contract with City Finance Director Martin Schless effective November 15, 2008. The city struggled with city finances for the past year after failing to accurately estimate the cost of sewer and solid waste services. Indian Rocks Beach recently changed millage rates and adjusted the expenditures for police services that are contracted with the county sheriff’s department. The city was also late in finalizing its budget for the fiscal year that began October 1, 2008. During the past two years, the city experienced increased costs in sewer and waste disposal services while taxable valuations of property in the city declined. Property values in 2007 amounted to $1.186 billion and decreased by 11% to $1.054 billion this year resulting in less property tax revenue. At the same time, millage rates in Indian Rocks Beach have declined over the past several years from a high of 2.5 in 2002 to 1.6 in 2008.
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