Belleair Beach Holds the Line on 2011 Tax RateBy Leo CoughlinBELLEAIR BEACH - The Belleair Beach City Council voted at its meeting September 8 to keep the current tax millage of 1.98 to support the fiscal year 2011 budget of $2,042,113. The new fiscal year begins in two weeks, October 1. Belleair Beach will spend $156,030 less in 2011, a 7 percent reduction from the expenditures of $2,198,143 in the current year. The decrease is a reflection of the continued economic downturn, which has resulted in a general 10 percent cut in revenue for most jurisdictions because of lowered property values. Although spending is down, Belleair Beach made no severe cuts in essential services. In other action at the meeting, the council re-appointed Joan Williams to the Board of Adjustment and added John Petrowski as a new member to that board. Parking rates for the Morgan Street Park, which has to be open to some general parking in addition to residents, the council set rates of $1.25 an hour Monday through Friday with an option to park all day for $10. Weekends and holiday rates will be $1.50 an hour and $12.50 for all day. Sandee Wisniowski, a long-term resident who has been consistently involved in community activity and affairs, was honored with an Award of Appreciation at the meeting. She is a member of the Park and Recreation Board.
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