Compromises Reached on Safety Harbor 2013-14 Budget

The Safety Harbor City Commission met for its annual marathon budget workshop on Monday night, and by the end of the three-hour session, compromises had been made for the proposed 2013-14 budget.

Facing the possibility of having to take more than $635,000 out of the general fund in order to balance the budget, City Manager Matt Spoor came up with a list of proposed cuts to help offset the reliance on reserves.

Of the list, which included such suggestions as pulling city funding for the Harbor Sounds event and reducing the traffic deputy, some commissioners expressed reluctance when it came to issue of health and dental benefits for city employees.

"I would love to see the benefit reductions disappear," Commissioner Nancy Besore said. 

The reductions call for changes to employee health benefits, which would save $95,800, and eliminating city contributions to employee dental policies, a savings of $53,230.

"I don't have a problem with people partially paying for health insurance," Commissioner Cliff Merz said. "I don't like the idea of paying zero percent for dental."

The commission ultimately decided to leave the dental expense in the budget and revisit the health benefits issue when they receive solid figures from providers.

They also approved the elimination of Harbor Sounds funding, but removed a proposed $15,000 reduction to the Chamber of Commerce.

Another topic that drew a lot of interest was the issue of the annual Safety Harbor fireworks display.

At the last meeting the commission discussed finding a sponsor for the event, which is budgeted at a cost of $24,600 ($9,600 for staff, $15,000 for the display itself.)

Spoor came up with a compromise that could satisfy everybody.

"We would leave in our cost for the staff and take out the cost of the fireworks," he said. "If we're not able to secure a sponsor, then we'll take the $15,000 out of reserves."

The decision not to cut the display was a direct result of protests by commissioners and residents.

"We wouldn't cancel the fireworks show," Spoor added. "We heard that loud and clear at the last workshop."

With the cuts agreed upon, all that was left was to agree on was the millage rate.

While four of the commissioners said they were in favor of raising the rate from 3.3808 to 3.743, which would add an additional $317,000 in revenue, Commissioner Besore couldn't quite commit to the proposal.

"I have not made my mind up on the millage yet," she said.

The commission will meet to certify the millage rate on August 5th. Public hearings on the proposed budget will be held in September.

Note: An earlier version of this story had the current millage rate listed as 3.808. It is actually 3.3808. Also, it has been pointed out that Commissioner Blake has not officially stated his position on raising the rate.