07-10-2007, 07:36 PM
Proposed cuts on the table
Officials expected more drastic cuts, but these include fireworks and library hours.
By LORRI HELFAND
Published July 10, 2007
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LARGO - No Fourth of July fireworks, no Sunday library hours and 10 to 20 employees may lose their jobs.
That's the future for Largo under a budget proposal being presented tonight to the City Commission by the city staff.
The proposed cuts aren't as drastic as officials expected last month. But some popular services - including libraries and recreation centers - will take the hardest hit and some employees may lose their jobs.
Among the cuts expected to be controversial: closing the Largo library on Sundays, which had an estimated 80,000 Sunday visitors in the past year.
"Every service we provide has a constituency. Those people who benefit from that service will oppose the reduction. The task of the City Commission will be to decide if our priorities are correct or if they want to cut in other areas," said Assistant City Manager Henry Schubert.
The proposed tax cut comes as state leaders passed mandates that push local property tax collections next year below this year's levels. Largo has to cut 9 percent - estimated at about $3-million - compared with this year's property tax collections.
Officials project an increase in other revenue sources so the proposal includes a $2-million reduction in the daily operating expenditures, which will total about $60-million.
Last month the city staff projected cutting the equivalent of 81 full-time positions. Now they project cutting 51 full- and part-time positions, not all of which are filled.
"We're not going to see that many people go," said Human Resources Director Susan Sinz, who estimated that about 10 to 20 employees will lose their jobs.
Among the reasons more won't lose their jobs: Attrition and the city instituted a hiring freeze for most positions in May, when talk of hefty tax cuts were looming.
Schubert said the city will try to place affected employees in other jobs if possible.
Recreation, parks and arts will take the brunt of the cuts with the elimination of 19 full- and part-time positions. Second hardest hit will be the library department, losing about 14 positions.
Recreation Parks and Arts Director Joan Byrne thinks there may also be a way to salvage the July 4th celebration even though the staff proposed eliminating it from the budget.
"We hope that somebody will come forward and sponsor that," said Byrne who estimated the event costs between $25,000 to $30,000.
The proposal would also nix two outreach centers for at-risk youths and close the Bayhead Teen Center. But Byrne said the city has an ongoing teen program at Southwest Recreation Center and plans to start a teen program at the Highland Complex.
Police Department cuts include the elimination of six full-time positions, including support staff and three school resource officers. Officials said they would avoid layoffs by reassigning officers and keeping some positions vacant.
The Fire Department will lose three emergency medical technician positions but doesn't expect actual layoffs either, said acting fire Chief Karry Bell.
Mayor Pat Gerard said she hates to see some of the cuts, especially those affecting library hours and outreach programs, but she sees few other options.
"They've done a good job of trying to target areas that are going to have the least impact," Gerard said.
Lorri Helfand can be reached at 727 445-4155 or lorri@sptimes.com.
Fast Facts:
Proposed cuts
The budget being presented tonight to the City Commission by the city staff will include the following cuts:
- 51 positions (actual layoffs: about 10 to 20 employees)
- Three major events: Fourth of July, the Heart of Largo and the Puppet festival
Two outreach centers for at-risk youth
- Bayhead Teen Center
- McGough and Bonner nature parks closed, except for weekends
- Largo public library closed on Sundays
Officials expected more drastic cuts, but these include fireworks and library hours.
By LORRI HELFAND
Published July 10, 2007
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ADVERTISEMENT
Breaking News Video
LARGO - No Fourth of July fireworks, no Sunday library hours and 10 to 20 employees may lose their jobs.
That's the future for Largo under a budget proposal being presented tonight to the City Commission by the city staff.
The proposed cuts aren't as drastic as officials expected last month. But some popular services - including libraries and recreation centers - will take the hardest hit and some employees may lose their jobs.
Among the cuts expected to be controversial: closing the Largo library on Sundays, which had an estimated 80,000 Sunday visitors in the past year.
"Every service we provide has a constituency. Those people who benefit from that service will oppose the reduction. The task of the City Commission will be to decide if our priorities are correct or if they want to cut in other areas," said Assistant City Manager Henry Schubert.
The proposed tax cut comes as state leaders passed mandates that push local property tax collections next year below this year's levels. Largo has to cut 9 percent - estimated at about $3-million - compared with this year's property tax collections.
Officials project an increase in other revenue sources so the proposal includes a $2-million reduction in the daily operating expenditures, which will total about $60-million.
Last month the city staff projected cutting the equivalent of 81 full-time positions. Now they project cutting 51 full- and part-time positions, not all of which are filled.
"We're not going to see that many people go," said Human Resources Director Susan Sinz, who estimated that about 10 to 20 employees will lose their jobs.
Among the reasons more won't lose their jobs: Attrition and the city instituted a hiring freeze for most positions in May, when talk of hefty tax cuts were looming.
Schubert said the city will try to place affected employees in other jobs if possible.
Recreation, parks and arts will take the brunt of the cuts with the elimination of 19 full- and part-time positions. Second hardest hit will be the library department, losing about 14 positions.
Recreation Parks and Arts Director Joan Byrne thinks there may also be a way to salvage the July 4th celebration even though the staff proposed eliminating it from the budget.
"We hope that somebody will come forward and sponsor that," said Byrne who estimated the event costs between $25,000 to $30,000.
The proposal would also nix two outreach centers for at-risk youths and close the Bayhead Teen Center. But Byrne said the city has an ongoing teen program at Southwest Recreation Center and plans to start a teen program at the Highland Complex.
Police Department cuts include the elimination of six full-time positions, including support staff and three school resource officers. Officials said they would avoid layoffs by reassigning officers and keeping some positions vacant.
The Fire Department will lose three emergency medical technician positions but doesn't expect actual layoffs either, said acting fire Chief Karry Bell.
Mayor Pat Gerard said she hates to see some of the cuts, especially those affecting library hours and outreach programs, but she sees few other options.
"They've done a good job of trying to target areas that are going to have the least impact," Gerard said.
Lorri Helfand can be reached at 727 445-4155 or lorri@sptimes.com.
Fast Facts:
Proposed cuts
The budget being presented tonight to the City Commission by the city staff will include the following cuts:
- 51 positions (actual layoffs: about 10 to 20 employees)
- Three major events: Fourth of July, the Heart of Largo and the Puppet festival
Two outreach centers for at-risk youth
- Bayhead Teen Center
- McGough and Bonner nature parks closed, except for weekends
- Largo public library closed on Sundays