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Collier County puts its final stamp on budget
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NAPLES — There was a bit of wailing and worrying about proposed cuts to the budget, but Collier County commissioners approved all of the numbers put before them on Thursday evening.
The new budget kicks in on Oct. 1, with a primary tax rate of $3.146 per $1,000 worth of property, plus 69 cents per $1,000 worth of property for those in unincorporated areas who do not pay Marco Island, Naples or other city taxes.
Some residents turned out to express their concerns.
Garrett Morgan, director of human resources for the Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort, wanted to be certain that Collier Area Transit (CAT) service wasn’t cut from Immokalee.
Without the express bus to Marco, both his resort and the island’s Hilton resort would lose employees, Morgan said, before the session started.
CAT funds appear to remain relatively intact in Collier’s budget, although staffers worked hard to snip away at costs.
After Commissioners Jim Coletta and Donna Fiala questioned cutbacks for Emergency Medical Services — two units to be exact — Commissioner Frank Halas cautioned everyone to be realistic.
“I understand where Commissioner Coletta is coming from, but people in this county voted for rolling back taxes,” Halas said. “And I believe at our last board meeting, we had to write off about $8 million in EMS debt.”
Halas was referring to ambulance fees that can’t be collected.
“People have demanded a tax cut and we did our best, and there may not be as many services as” there have been in the past, Halas said.
In fact, EMS is not selling two ambulances, nor laying people off, and commissioners were assured that in November, they would likely have a chance to amend the budget by allocating excess fees from some of the county’s constitutional offices.
Gina Downs, a fierce opponent of privatizing Alligator Alley, questioned money the commission had allocated to the Economic Development Council, which is hosting a session on the project.
EDC Director Tammie Nemecek had to get up to assure commissioners that her organization was holding a meeting for educational purposes only. She said that neither the EDC and the Urban Land Institute — its partner in the seminar — has taken a stand on the issue.
While remaining “very neutral in any decision like this,” Nemecek said directors agreed to take a close look at options.
Collier Transportation Director Norm Feder also assured commissioners that no staffer in his department is taking “any position in opposition to this board.”
All residents will pay a water pollution control property tax of nearly 3 cents per $1,000 worth of property.
Collier County officials plan to run the government on a general fund of $369,920,400, or a 4.5 percent decrease from the current general budget of $391,281,800.
The proposed budget for capital projects is $475,202,600, or a 36.2 percent increase over the current $348,991,500.
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But what was cut? Dang, will I have to go to the minutes of the meeting to find out? :)
Ken, http://free.naplesplus.us webmaster
#1 Posted by simplify3 on September 19, 2008 at 6:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Cut road construction until the housing situation turns around!!!!!
#2 Posted by rtsspeaks on September 19, 2008 at 6:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Note to NDN: it might have been helpful to report whether the adopted tax rate was increased, decreased or unchanged from last year...basic reporting I would think.
#3 Posted by harrynews on September 19, 2008 at 8:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Let me get this straight...the county has cut the general fund by 4.5 percent (the part of the budget that pays for acyual services and programs)but we can afford an increase in capital of 36.2 percent? Aren't there enough county owned buildings, boat ramps and water ski boats already?
#4 Posted by wtf2008 on September 19, 2008 at 8:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Am I reading this right? Capital (buildings) budget goes up, general budget (employment of people) goes down? Good old collier county: flash over form. style over substance.
Our local economy is swiring down the drain, and all Collier County wants is to erect memorials to themselves & their greatness.
#5 Posted by squall_line on September 19, 2008 at 9:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
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