Politics & Government
It’s time for PSTA property tax increase
It is time to give all of hard working people out at PSTA not only a little more revenue but a vote of confidence.
St. Petersburg, Fl
Opinion by: E. Eugene Webb PhD
Author: In earch of Robin
Find out what's happening in St. Petefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
It is time to give all of hard working people out at PSTA not only a little more revenue but a vote of confidence.
The PSTA board is considering raising their Pinellas county
millage rate from .7305 to .7500. You can get the details in Janell Irwin’s Tampa Bay Business Journal article PSTA takes first step in raising property tax The average home owner would see a tax increase of less than $3.00 on their property ta bill. The tax increase would produce about $1 million in additional revenues for PSTA.
Find out what's happening in St. Petefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Regular readers of my Posts know that I have been highly critical of PSTA in the past but my more
recent posts following the transit agencies approach to their mission have been positive.
Is PSTA closing in on a viable solution to the public transportation last mile problem?
A Reader's thoughts on Mass Transit and light rail
The PSTA Board’s leadership and Brad Millers execution and innovative thinking have produced
some impressive results.
This tax increase will,have several positive effects. In addition to producing some much needed
revenue it will add a shock absorber to the inevitable drop in property values and it will also take off the table the excuse in the pursuit of new revenues that there is still room in the millage rate since this increase puts PSTA at the max millage rate allowed by state law.
Any further increase in the millage rate will require action by the state legislature.
According to the Tampa Bay Business Journal article there seems to some reluctance among the PSTA
Board members regarding a tax increase.
I don’t think this one will be a problem if PSTA tells the story of the last year or so.
You will see the tax increase as it applies to you in your upcoming TRIM notice from the Pinellas
County Tax appraiser.
It is time to give all of hard working people out at PSTA not only a little more revenue but a vote of
confidence for all they are doing to provide our communities with efficient an effective public transportation.
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Disclosures:
Contributor: Bob Gualtieri for Pinellas County Sheriff, Carlos Beruff for US Senate
