Belleair Beach Holds Preliminary Talks on Budget - Outlook GrimBy Leo CoughlinBELLEAIR BEACH - The City Council met in a special session last Thursday evening to discuss the budget for fiscal year 2011. It was a grim discussion. It is acknowledged that Belleair Beach got any fat that was discernible out of its budget and that last year's budget, the current year, began cutting into muscle. For example, the Public Works Department has already been cut 36 percent. More is ahead throughout the budget, which will wind up, as one observer described it, as "bare bones." Among the comments last Thursday was reluctance to consider an increase in the millage rate, but Councilmember Dave Dumville has said that an increase may be needed. While the meeting was a look ahead and no official decisions were made, the future - as with so many jurisdictions - looks ghastly. A drop off in property values has resulted in predicted much lower ad valorem revenue. On top of that, tourism dollars are shrinking as a result of the oil spill which means money coming from the state will be lower and Penny for Pinellas funds are sure to take a hit. When the council meets again in early July the talks will be less informal and more concrete and hard decisions will have to begin to be formed.
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