Largo City Commission Candidates on Property Taxes and the City Budget

Question: Last week, the City Commission approved a property tax increase to help offset the years of declining revenues. This followed several years of budget cuts. Next year, should more cuts become necessary, where would you make them? Or, would you settle for another property tax increase? Or both?

James Robinson: There should not need to be any cuts with the current increase. If budget cuts were necessary, I would try to provide balance all around, keep cuts to the minimum and spread them around across departments.

Robert Hunsicker: As an engineer I am always looking at ways for more efficiency. Not inclined to raise taxes. Would look for additional revenue sources such as privatizing the golf course and increasing recreation fees.

Editor's Note: Candidate answers are paraphrased, if you would like the City of Largo will televise and stream the complete debate starting the week of Oct. 1.

Here's a background story on which starts Oct. 1 and the rest of the commission forum story.