In the midst of budgetary turmoil, two of Pasco County’s libraries are being spared from the budget chopping blocks.
After an $700,000 overestimation of potential tax fee collections from the city’s tax collector’s office, Pasco officials are scrambling to fill the budget shortfall. To resolve the $700,000 problem, Chairman Ted Schrader proposed boarding up two of Pasco’s public libraries. By eliminating all positions at the Centennial Park branch library and Wesley Chapel’s New River branch, the City would save $776,875 from its budget.
Pasco’s library budget has already been reduced 33 percent, causing Commissioner Kathryn Starkey to push back Schrader’s measure. Schrader’s proposal came as a reaction to Pasco residents expressing concerns over property taxes increasing $33 a year for homestead owners whose homes are worth more than $100,000.
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During last Tuesday’s budget meeting, various city officials requested budget increases despite the deficit. Sheriff Chris Nocco unsuccessfully requested $500,000 in addition to the sheriff’s office $91 million approved budget. This year the sheriff’s office, however, received $900,000 to purchase unmarked detective cars.
While some department budgets are gutted, Tax Collector Mike Fasano informed Pasco commissioners of possible merit bonuses, ranging from $1,000 to $1,400, for tax collection employees. Pasco’s Code Enforcement Office was not as fortunate. Pasco commissioners scratched plans to hire four code enforcement officers. Instead, Pasco hired a full-time public information officer, who will be in charge of the county’s social and traditional media outlets as the county’s official spokesperson.
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Since the recession, Pasco’s Code Enforcement office has been downsized from 24 to 14 officers. To save time, fuel cost and increase efficiency, Code Enforcement Director Danielle Helmick installed mobile offices so enforcement officers may report from the field.
As Pasco’s budget remains unbalanced, expect budgetary slicing and dicing to continue.
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