Largo City Commission

City Budget May Decrease Again

Property taxes may increase slightly.

Largo's proposed city budget has been cut for the sixth year in a row, but property taxes will most likely go up slightly. This is because the city is collecting less money with lower property tax values and other revenue sources decreasing. The proposed budget of $137,994,900 passed first reading on Sept. 4. If the budget passes on the second and final reading on Sept. 20, then the new budget starts on Oct. 1. What does this mean for property owners in Largo? If the proposed 7.3 percent property tax increase passes, a homeowner with a homesteaded property with an assessed value of $221,399 would pay $105 more in city taxes next year. Here are some of the highlights of the proposed budget: Editor's Note: The budget passed on second and …

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City Commission Reviews Budget Friday

The Largo City Commission discusses the budget at a 12:30 p.m. workshop session on Aug. 17.

The Largo City Commission has its first formal budget review at its workshop session at 12:30 p.m. Friday. The commission  set the maximum property tax rate- 4.9999 mills- for 2013 at its July 17 meeting.  If the proposed 4.9999 mills passed, here is how it could affect your taxes: What is important to you in Largo's budget? Recreation, public safety, roads and streets? Let us know what matters to you in the comments. Proposed Budget Schedule:

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Largo Outsources Four Vacant Jobs

The Largo City Commission approved a one-year-contract for cleaning services at several city facilities.

Instead of filling several vacant custodial positions the Largo City Commission decided at its Aug. 7 meeting to save about $30,700 and have Aetna Maintenance clean and maintain several city-owned buildings . There were no layoffs. The city's custodial services currently has two full-time and four part-time vacancies, which is the equivalent of four full-time positions, according to a city report. The custodial work is done after operating hours. The work will be monitored by city staff. The custodial services contract was put out to bid and Aetna Maintenance was, "the most  responsive proposer due to their experience, their  references, and thereview of the proposal in totality.  Also, Aetna Maintenance's pricing for custodial services …

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Largo City Commission

City Administration Suggests Higher Tax Rate

The Largo City Commission will consider a proposed 7.3 percent tax increase at its July 17 meeting.

The Largo City Commission plans to set the maximum property tax rate for 2013 at tonight's meeting. The commission still needs to review the budget and hold two public hearings, so the actual tax rate could be lower by the time the budget is approved in September. The proposed tax rate is higher than originally anticipated. In a preliminary report released July 1 the city administration proposed a 2.75 percent tax increase. But the 2.75 percent tax increase would mean $900,000 more in budget cuts in 2014. The city manager's office now recommends the 7.3 percent tax increase. "While many residents would prefer lower taxes, the city consistently receives public input opposing reductions in city services. The proposed rate will provide …

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Largo City Commission

City Manager Presents Preliminary Budget Tonight

The proposed budget includes a possible 2.75 percent increase in property tax rates.

The Largo City Commission will take a look at preliminary budget and property tax possibilities at the July 10 workshop session. The preliminary proposal shows a possible increase in property tax rates. The city commission still needs to review the proposed budget, so the final tax rate may change. If the proposed 2.75 percent increase passed, here is how it could affect your taxes, based on a city report: City Manager Norton Craig's proposed budget shows the estimated cost to run the city next year is $156,117,300. This includes personnel, operating, capital and debit service. This is $3.3 million less than the previous budget year. Budget Schedule:

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Largo City Commission

Property Taxes May Increase

The city manager's preliminary budget proposal shows a possible 2.75 percent increase in property tax rates.

Property tax rates could go up slightly next year. The proposed millage rate is 4.8053. The current property tax rate is 4.5594 mills. Largo's City Manager Norton Craig released on June 29 the proposed budget for the next year, which starts Oct. 1. The city commission still needs to review the proposed budget, so the final tax rate may change. The Proposed Budget: The estimated cost to run the city from Oct. 1, 2012 to Sept. 30, 2013 is $156,117,300. This includes personnel, operating, capital and debit service. This is $3.3 million less than the previous budget year. Since 2008 Largo has trimmed its budget almost $15 million and cut the equivalent of 90 full-time positions. Largo has around 854 employees currently, according to the …

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Largo Property Values Decrease Less Than Anticipated

Preliminary estimates show Largo's property values will decrease 1.99 percent.

The Pinellas Property Appraiser Pam Dubov released preliminary Pinellas property values including Largo on Wednesday. Early figures from the county property appraiser show the overall drop in real property taxable values in town is 1.99 percent. This is less than the 4.5 percent decrease expected by city officials in preliminary budget planning. Property tax revenue is part of the city's income, which it uses to prepare the annual city budget. The city manager must present a preliminary city budget to the city commission by July 1. Largo's new budget year starts in October. Communities near Largo also saw declines in real property taxable values, according to preliminary figures.

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Largo City Commission

City Commission Tries to Preserve Some Jobs in the Budget Cut Process

The commission favored continued funding of police and grounds maintenance positions while exploring other ways to trim $2.8 million from next year's city budget.

The City of Largo has reduced its budget by $12 million in the last six years. More budget cuts are on the horizon. At its May 15 meeting the Largo City Commission reviewed proposed budget cuts, to give the city staff direction, as it develops next year's budget. The city manager must present the budget to the city commission by July 1. The next fiscal year starts Oct. 1. Preserving some jobs. The commissioners overwhelmingly supported continued funding of three police positions, which are a possible budget cut. Largo already has the lowest ratio of police officers to residents in the area, Commissioner Curtis Holmes said. The commissioners also favored keeping five grounds maintenance positions in house instead of outsourcing them.  The …

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Largo City Commission

City Commission Considers Budget Cuts

The Largo City Commission will weigh in on almost $2.8 million in proposed budget cuts at its May 15 meeting.

The City of Largo's long term financial budget shows $2.8 million in budget cuts is necessary, according to a city report. This would be the sixth consecutive year of budget reductions. The cuts should allow the city to maintain at least a 10 percent fund balance, according to a city report. The budget reduction proposal includes cutting the equivalent of about 24 positions. The cuts include three currently vacant firefighter positions and three presently unfilled police positions. Based on the recommendations of the Largo City Commission, the city will develop the budget for next year. The city manager must present the budget to the city commission by July 1. The next fiscal year starts Oct. 1. The proposed budget changes include:

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Leroy A Haggard

2:32 pm on Monday, May 14, 2012

I am not a golfer, but , that should not matter. Any business, rec, that the county is responsible for, has the responsibility to the public taxpayer, people are getting their monies worth. I am willing to pay extra it need be, but, the taxpayer should get something in return.   more ›

Largo City Commission

City Commission Considers Stormwater Utility Fee Increase

Tonight's commission work session covers possible stormwater rate increases, the relocation of the city data center and commercial kitchen grease.

The Largo City Commission will review a proposal to increase stormwater fees at a work session tonight. Largo's base residential rates could increase from $4.45 per month to $5.32. The fee was last increased in 2008. Since stormwater fees are fixed, the city's stormwater revenue increases only when the city annexes new customers or customers redevelop their property with more impervious surface. The proposed increase is necessary because of major equipment replacements, increased expenses and low revenue growth, according to a city report. If the commission decides to move forward with a stormwater fee increase, the city would present an ordinance with the proposed rate increase at the June 5 city commission meeting. Other agenda items: …

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