TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Suncoast Pasco News

Serious times

ADVERTISEMENT

THE SUNCOAST NEWS

Published: June 17, 2009

Last Friday, the Pasco County Commission began reviewing the county's proposed budget for fiscal 2010. With the collapse of the Florida real estate-housing sector, on top of the nationwide economic slowdown, the county's projected revenue could fall about $37 million short of the planned spending in the $900 million-plus budget. Commissioners have received a list of proposed spending cuts meant to close the budget gap. "This is going to hurt a lot of people, seriously," County Commissioner Pat Mulieri said after pondering the cut list.

The list includes the elimination of 260 county jobs, closing some county swimming pools, reducing operating hours at county libraries and on the Pasco County Public Transportation bus line, reducing county contributions to local charitable groups and cutting spending on nutritional services for the elderly.

The various spending and service cuts commissioners are contemplating would cause pain to the county employees who lose their jobs and residents who partake of services the county might have to reduce or eliminate. Until the tax revenue flow picks up, however, commissioners will have to make serious and painful spending decisions.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT