Public Budget Hearings Begin: Share Your Thoughts Tonight

By law, the Gulfport City Council has to pass a balanced budget for fiscal year 2012-2013. The council has agreed on several service fee increases and a "roll forward" millage rate increase to balance the budget.

What do you think?

Residents are encouraged to attend the first of two public hearings prior to adopting the budget, which begins on October 1, 2012. The first hearing is tonight at 7 p.m. at Gulfport City Hall.

Let's take a look at the numbers:

The Budget

Appropriations:

• $10,506,021 = estimated cost for the City to operate between Oct. 1, 2012 - September 30, 2013.

All funding sources:

• $8,615,374 = estimated revenues the City will collect next fiscal year
• $300,000 = transfers from the Marina PILOT fund
• $467,000 = transfers from the Sanitation PILOT
• $325,000 = transfers from the Utilities PILOT
• $798,778 = transfers from Enterprise Funds

Millage Rate

The current millage rate is 4.0, which equates to $4 per every $1,000. According to O'Reilly, due to the decrease in property values, increasing the rate to 4.039 will generate $2,626,773 in FY 2013. There will be no change in revenue, no loss, no gain.

The current millage rate of 4.0 equates to $4 for every $1,000 of assessed taxable property.

Service Fee's to Increase

The dollar amounts below reflect the estimated revenues expected if all of the proposed fee increases are passed.

• $115,000: Sanitation Special Pickup Fees
• $10,000: GEMS ride fee to offset increased fuel costs        
• $10,000: Implement Special Event Charge/Fees               
• $25,000: Implement Credit Card use Convenience Charge   
• $5,000: Increase Summer Rec Fees to Market Rate          
• $20,000: Adopt Pinellas County Building Inspection Fee structure

Special Event Charge/Fees

Currently, the City does not recoup costs for co-sponsoring special events held on city streets, parks or facilities (such as the Casino).

The budget includes a $500 charge for major events in city streets and parks. This will include the following events:

1. Chamber of Commerce Springfest
2. So49 Bluesfest
3. Gulfport Merchants Association's Geckofest
4. Antiques in the Park

Public Hearings:

Public hearings will be held on Wednesday, September 5 and Wednesday, September 19 at 7 p.m at Gulfport City Hall.

According to City Manager, Jim O'Reilly, Florida State Statue requires the city to hold public hearings prior to adoption.