By Michael Eng | Managing Editor
The tentative 2012-13 budget sailed through Plant City commissioners at the first of two public budget hearings Sept. 10.
Finance Director Martin Wisgerhof presented the $59,749,121 budget to the commission. He also proposed a 4.7157 millage rate, which remains the same as 2011-2012 despite the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser’s estimated 3.2% reduction in assessed property values.
“We wanted to take every opportunity for local businesses and residents to see some relief in these times of economic turmoil,” Wisgerhof said.
The $59,749,121 budget represents is about 1% higher than the original budget approved for 2011-12. The increase in revenue is primarily through a 1/2-cent local sales tax and an increase in cost allocation from the Water Utilities Fund, City Manager Greg Horwedel said.
Although Mayor Mike Sparkman and Vice Mayor Mary Thomas Mathis in July advocated for raises for city employees, the proposed budget does not allow for any wage increases for 2012-13. In addition, city staff will be reduced by three positions. Two will be through retirement, but one will be an involuntary reduction through consolidation, Wisgerhof said.
“The budget maintains essential services during a persistent economic downturn,” Horwedel told commissioners. “We have managed to do so while maintaining our reserves above the required 15% level established by the commission, thereby preserving our ability to respond effectively to emergencies that may arise during the coming fiscal year.”
The commission will host its final public budget hearing at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 24, at the Sadye Gibbs Martin Auditorium at City Hall, 302 W. Reynolds St.
Fluoridation moves forward
Despite receiving only a single bid for Plant City’s water fluoridation project, commissioners agreed to spend an extra $78,000 to ensure it begins on time.
Utilities Director Frank Coughenour told commissioners the single bid came in at $555,000 — $252,000 more than the city’s original budget of $303,000. Working through the proposal, Coughenour was able to find $174,000 in potential reductions that would not affect the functionality of the project.
Although the bid was advertised both locally through the city’s website and nationally, because it requires such specialized and varied work, the project only garnered a single bid, Coughenour said. Furthermore, because the project also utilizes some federal funding, those regulations may have eliminated some potential bidders, he said.
Horwedel said his staff has identified monies in the Water Utilities Fund the city can use to make up the $78,000 difference.
Commissioners approved unanimously moving forward with the project.
“This is something that is needed for the generation that is here and the generations to come,” Mathis said.
Commissioner Rick Lott agreed.
“Personally, I think this is long overdue,” he said.
Contact Michael Eng at meng@plantcityobserver.com.
IN OTHER NEWS
• The commission approved a rezone request from R-1A (Single-Family) to R-2 (Multi-Family) for a four-acre parcel at 1109 W. Grant St. The approval also included a special approval for day care use on the parcel. Other uses (with special approval) could be a private school, religious institution or townhomes.
• Plant City’s Patrick Murphy was named the Florida Rural Water Association 2012 Wastewater Plant Operator of the Year. Murphy received the award at the FRWA Annual Conference Aug. 14, in Daytona Beach.
• A Polk Rail Study Workshop will be at 5 p.m. Sept. 13, at the Bartow Civic Center, 2250 S. Floral Ave.
• Mayor Mike Sparkman presented a proclamation declaring the week of Sept. 17 to 23 as “Constitution Week in Plant City.”