Commission Will Hold Final Budget Workshop Tonight

The Safety Harbor City Commission will host its final budget workshop tonight, and it could be a marathon session.

Every aspect of the 2013-14 budget will be examined, including individual line items from every department and any and all potential cuts and proposals.

"We will discuss everything during this workshop," City Manager Matt Spoor said.

"At the end of the meeting we should have a good idea of the final budget that will be voted on in September."

Some items that could be of special interest to the community include the proposed millage rate, which the commission agreed to look at raising from the current rate of 3.3808 to 3.7343 at the last workshop on July 17.

The increased rate would bring in an additional $317,000 in revenue.

Another item that has garnered attention lately is the debate over whether or not to eliminate fireworks from the budget.

While none of the commissioners were in favor of taking away the patriotic tradition, some suggested coming up with alternative methods to support what is a nearly $25,000 expense.

The issue drew a number of impassioned responses on Patch recently.

The workshop, which will be the fifth such meeting in the city since April, will begin at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall and is open to the public.

Spoor encouraged any citizen who wishes to express their opinion on a budgetary matter to attend the workshop.

"If residents want to come and talk about anything, this is the time," he said.