TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Council Adopts Budget

ADVERTISEMENT

By JOYCE McKENZIE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 24, 2008

TEMPLE TERRACE - Despite the slumping economy, the city's forecast for its upcoming fiscal year is not all doom and gloom.

On Sept 17, the Temple Terrace City Council unanimously adopted the city's 2008-09 budget of $52.2 million, an increase over the current fiscal year's $51.8 million.

It also approved a property tax rate of $4.57 per $1,000 of taxable value, the same rate that is in place.

When the new budget takes effect Oct. 1, the city will have $13.6 million in capital outlay spending, an increase over the $11.5 million in the 2007-08 budget.

On the flip side, the operating budget allotment for fiscal year 2008-09, which includes city departments' individual budgets, will decrease from $40.3 million to $34.7 million.

Other budgeted expenditures total about $3.9 million.

Although each department was asked to reduce its funding 5 percent, the Temple Terrace Public Library will bear the biggest brunt of the cuts. Facing city, county and state budget reductions of about $100,000, it will close Sundays and reduce hours on other days.

The library's current hours are from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. The new hours will be from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday and Wednesday, noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

"We carefully analyzed all the options and decided to stay close to the county library hours," said library director Armand Ternak. "We tried to make it the least painful for everyone concerned ... and still keep a balanced budget with full programs."

In addition, Temple Terrace Family Recreation Complex patrons will see a 15 percent increase in membership dues in place of the normal 10 percent biannual increase. The decision, made in lieu of closing the center on holidays, is expected to generate about $35,000 in additional revenue.

"Most of our members understand it takes money to operate the facility, and that's directly where the money will go," said James Chambers, director of leisure services.

Diane Reichard, the city's financial director, not only attributes many of the budget cuts to less state and county funding, but to lower property tax revenue.

"But, by having the city council's participation and the department heads' diligent efforts, we were able to keep the process running smoothly," she said.

Reporter Joyce McKenzie can be reached at (813) 865-4849 or jmckenzie@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT