Charging for Public Streetlights Sparks Debate

Should Safety Harbor charge property owners for public streetlights?

The question was asked at a city workshop Monday, according to the Tampa Bay Times. The issue may be discussed again in the near future.

At issue is a fee currently charged to property owners who live on streets with public lights. (For more information, see Commission Approves Street Light Assessment for 2013.)

But the practice has sparked debate and disagreement, with folks paying $50.97 for the service.

The city leases the service from Progress Energy, passing along the fees to property owners.

An alternative would be to assess the fee through property taxes.

According to the Tampa Bay Times:

Commissioners Nancy Besore and Nina Bandoni said they were unhappy when the commission approved the fee in December, and they remain so.  "I've received zero positive feedback," Besore said. "The only feedback I've received is from people who haven't seen a raise in six years saying, "'Commissioner Besore, what are you doing?'"

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