Belleair Residents Get Tax Break as Town Keeps Millage Rate the SameBy Leo CoughlinBELLEAIR - Despite a drop in ad valorem revenue because of reduced property values, the town will keep the current millage rate - 4,3605 - in fiscal year 2010 which begins October 1. There will be a $350,000 loss in ad valorem revenue and other revenues will be down, too, because of the general economic situation. Keeping the same rate with a concomitant drop in property values means a tax cut for most property owners. To partially offset the revenue loss, the town had a savings of about $125,000 in its new fire service contract with Largo, some insurance costs are down by something like $70,000 and all employees - including the police - will get no merit or cost of living pay increases. Belleair was shrewd enough in its contract with the police to include a provision that any raises would be tied to what general employees got. So, unlike neighboring Largo, the town has not painted itself into a corner with the kind of big problem Largo faces. The request of Fred and Joy Thomas to replat properties was continued until the next meeting. The Thomases said they expect to work out any concerns with neighbors by that time. Because of a conflict with County Commission meetings, the Town Commission will meet on Thursdays - September 3 and 17 - for the final hearings on the fiscal 2010 budget. |