Will Climate Change Affect County Budget?
Pinellas County officials said they might have to start thinking about the long-term budget impacts of climate change.
Forming the county budget is always a mixture of art and science. Pinellas County Administrator Robert LaSala says this year's budget is no different. "This is like a mosaic," LaSala said at Tuesday's budget work session. "It's made up a lot of pieces … a lot of moving pieces." There are definite numbers, such as the millage rate and fee schedules, that county officials can rely on to form the budget. However, many items like potential new state/federal mandates, a stagnant economy and ongoing housing crisis, are things county officials have to regularly brace for. As of Tuesday, the county has added another item that could affect future budget forecasts — climate change. County budget director Eric Naughton said it might be time for …
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