Bluffs Finances Appear Firm; No Tax IncreaseBy Leo Coughlin BELLEAIR BLUFFS - The City Commission heard a positive audit report from the Wells, Houser, Schatzel firm at its meeting Monday night with all financial information in order. Reserves for the city are at about $2 million, sufficient for about 11 ½ months of operations should an emergency occur, Mayor Chris Arbutine said. This satisfies the policy of having funds on hand to sustain operations for six months to a year. Arbutine said, "We are not going to add to reserves now, and this will enable us to maintain the tax rate." Because of the severe economic crisis and an expected downturn in tax revenues because of decreased property evaluations many jurisdictions are facing a financial crunch and tax increases could be in the offing. The Property Appraiser's office has said that property values could be down 15 to 20 percent. Monday night's meeting was routine with the commission opposing Amendment 4 that will appear on November's ballot. The amendment would require a referendum vote on every proposed change to a city's land use or comprehensive plan. Opposition to the amendment seems to be unanimous and some question how the proposal ever got on the ballot in the first place. If adopted, officials say, government operations would be crippled. A ceremony for the official opening of the causeway bridge has been set back to April at the request of County Commission Chairperson Karen Seel who said art work for the bridge is not complete. Some residents who live adjacent to the new bridge have complained that lighting is too bright and glaring and bothers them. A lease agreement with the county for the area on the bridge approach is being modified to allow benches and other amenities. Next week's meeting of the commission is scheduled for Tuesday instead of the usual Monday because of the Presidents Day holiday.
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