Hello Everyone,
Evelyn here,
The following article written by Donna Winchester St. Petersburg Times staff writer is of important to every home owner in the county. Personally, this should have been done long ago.
---------------
June 16, 2009
Pinellas School Board gives early approval to property tax rate increase
Pinellas School Board members on Tuesday unanimously gave initial approval to a property tax rate increase to help offset a projected $19 million budget shortfall.
But not without first offering a few choice words to state legislators.
Board member Carol Cook was most outspoken, charging that politicians in Tallahassee have abdicated their responsibility to quality education in Florida.
"I’m supposed to take it on faith that the legislators will turn around (next year) and do the right thing," Cook said. "They have not done that so far. I cannot have faith when time after time it’s been proven to me that I can’t trust that they will do the right thing for our children."
At least one board member applauded Cook’s comments.
Board chairwoman Peggy O’Shea followed Cook, stating that the Legislature had put local school boards in a terrible position.
Without the additional $14 million budget infusion the district will receive with the tax increase, school employees likely will face six to 10 days without pay, O'Shea said. But the additional tax assessment could be a problem for many of them, especially for those who rent their homes, she said.
“This cuts both ways,” O’Shea said. “This will get passed off to them in the form of a rent increase, and they will pay a huge burden.”
The seven-member board must approve the measure again during budget hearings on July 28 and Sept. 15. But it’s not likely that the board can vote no at either of those meetings after the yes vote today, Cook said.
“Each time we vote on it, we’re more and more committed,” she said. “This time we’re saying, ‘Go forward and add this into the budget.’ In July, we’ll be saying, ‘This is the highest amount we can levy.’ But by that time, we’ve already hired people.
"In September, when we take the final vote, school already will have started. To say in September, ‘We’re not going to do this,’ that just won’t work."
- Donna Winchester, Times staff writer
---------------------------------------------
Evelyn out
