Commission Cuts Millions From Budget; Looks At Taxes

June 12, 2009

Cut, cut, cut — that was the message at a Thursday morning budget meeting of the Escambia County Commission. From commissioner benefits, to the sheriff, to ambulances to parks, nothing was spared as the budget ax fell. And on the tax front, commissioners are looking at increasing the fire services fee $5 per year, implementing a 3-cent gas tax, and rolling back some property taxes.

Escambia County Commissioners have cut about $100 million from the bottom line since 2007, and Thursday they cut their own benefits.

In 2007, when the county’s economy was still inflated post Ivan, Dennis and Katrina, the budget was at about $450 million. The current budget being considered by commissioners is at about $350 million, $17.1 million less than expected.

Amy Lovoy, Management and Budget Services Bureau chief, said the $17.1 million reduction included $6.5 million in reduced revenue due to declining property values in the county.

About 75 positions will be cut to save about $3.2 million in salaries and benefits. The remaining employees will see their benefits reduced, saving $350,000 per year. Many county programs and services will be cut for $1.5 million, including the reduction in the number of available ambulances. Payments will be delayed on county bond debt until 2013, saving $5 million for now.

Escambia Sheriff  David Morgan cut $4 million from his budget, with a representative telling commissioners Thursday that there will be no reduction in services. In fact, he said there will be more deputies on the streets.

The supervisor of elections and the tax collector shaved another $1 million off their budgets.

Another $2 million will be saved by reducing computer purchases, putting and end to vehicle and equipment purchases, looking to reduce fuel costs and more.

Commissioners agreed to cut their travel allowances Thursday, eliminating  $200 each per month — $12,000 per year — in travel pay. They also slashed their out-of-town travel budget for the entire commission from $23,000 a year to $11,500.

Commissioner Wilson Robertson said he would support the commission cutting their own salaries by two-thirds, but commission salaries are set by the Florida Legislature. The Escambia Commission presented a resolution to the Legislature last year asking that salaries be cut, but the Legislature would not take the action.

After a public hearing on June 18, the commission will look at a 3-cent gas tax increase for mass transit, and they will consider rolling back property taxes by an amount equal to that gas tax.

The commission will also consider another $5 added to the current $75 fire services fee paid by county residents.

Comments

6 Responses to “Commission Cuts Millions From Budget; Looks At Taxes”

  1. concerned citzen on June 13th, 2009 11:29 pm

    So whats wrong with boosting the fire tax 5 dollars a year for more career fireman. Dont get me wrong, or take me out of context,volunteers do a great job. Especially in the North End. But despite the dedication, you guys might not always be there and thats a concern for me. If my child is choking I need to know someone is coming NOW. Fully trainned, fully equipt ready to do the job. I need to KNOW im getting a guarenteed service. I am willing to pay an extra 5 bucks a year. Also I have dont some research. The city’s fire tax is higher than ours. Santa rosa county is higher than ours for less service. At least the north end of the county has guarenteed service to 4pm on the weekdays

  2. interested reader on June 12th, 2009 4:09 pm

    County Commisioners,please think long and hard before you add three cents to gas that is swiftly headed back up to last years price! THINK, CUT, CUT, CUT! No more taxes on top of the already too high prices!

  3. Joe Hall on June 12th, 2009 9:37 am

    If the county is having trouble with money why are they, and all the other groups spending money on the consolidation push. Yea they say the money for consolidation is comming from somewhere else, but it still cost the tax payer in the long run. The tax payer will have to pay for the special vote when it goes to the polls. Also the time that all the people have to put in for and against the consolidation program will take away from their time and jobs, that the tax payer is paying for. Taking a payed county offical away from the job they are suppose to be doing, like balancing their budget. Lets get over the money crunch first and stay away from a costly expense of trying to consolidation.

  4. TR on June 12th, 2009 8:28 am

    Why raise taxes, on Gas That is Already To High to begin with. What the problem is that the cc’s need to give up their saleries, and do thier job on volunteer basis.

  5. Taxpayer on June 12th, 2009 7:12 am

    On the subject of the commission adding $5 to the current $75 fire service fee, from what I seen on the spreadsheet made by the fire chief, its going to increase $5 dollars per year for 5 years. So in 5 years Escambia County Residents will be paying $100 per year for fire service to support adding more career firefighters to the County.

  6. bob hudson on June 12th, 2009 5:13 am

    Every one needs to call your CC and tell them NO on the 3 cent gas tax for ECAT!! If it can not support it’s self, then cut back on it or kill it. plain and simple.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News