Anna Maria spending reaches all-time high

There’s nothing like having money to spend, and Anna Maria commissioners plan to spend a record $3.47 million in the city’s 2014-15 budget.

    Commissioners approved the first reading of the 2014-15 budget Sept. 10 and set the ad valorem tax rate of 2.05 mills, which represents a tax increase of 9.7 percent for property owners, said city clerk Diane Percycoe.

    The budget is increased because taxable property values in the city have been on the rise, she said. The rollback rate of 1.8685 would generate the same revenue as the current year without a tax increase.

    Mayor SueLynn said adopting the rollback rate — the rate calculated to produce the same revenue as in the 2013-14 budget — would result in some city services being cut in the coming fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1.

    Citing rising costs to the city, commissioners voted unanimously to raise taxes.

    At a 2.05 millage rate, an owner with a property valued for tax purposes at $500,000 will pay $1,025 in city property taxes in 2014-15.

Revenue side

    The $3.47 million includes $176,000 in stormwater fee revenues, a Southwest Florida Water Management District matching grant of $149,500 and $350,000 from Florida Tower Partners LLC as a one-time payment for the planned cell tower at city hall.

    Building permit fees increased from $340,000 to $440,000. Percycoe said more permits for renovations are being issued every year. In addition, the Angler’s Cove home development on South Bay Boulevard has begun selling lots and those permits will generate revenue.

Expense side

    The $350,000 cell tower windfall is tentatively budgeted to pay the mortgage on the vacant lots — named the Anna Maria City Pier Park but closed to the public — at the east end of Pine Avenue.

    The largest line-item expense in the budget is $640,000 to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement services and personnel. It was approved without comment.

    The spending plan also includes an increase in the mayor’s annual salary of $10,000, raising the yearly stipend for that position from $9,600 to $19,600 after the November election.

    Commissioner Dale Woodland at first opposed the increase on the grounds that being the mayor is a “public service,” but Commissioner Carol Carter disagreed.

    “There have been so many administrative changes in this city the past five years, the position now has so much more responsibility. The mayor of this city puts in tremendous hours. I think that $19,600 is the bare minimum in this day and age,” Carter said.

    Commissioner Doug Copeland agreed. Considering all the hours the mayor spends on city business, $19,600 per annum isn’t even minimum wage, he said.

    “This is not a plum job,” Copeland added.

    The proposed budget includes $5,000 for a digital recording system that will allow the clerk to post audio online for citizen’s to listen to meetings, replacing the audio tape of meetings.

    SueLynn reminded commissioners that “nothing is set in stone,” and the commission can change items at the second public hearing, which will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24, at Anna Maria City Hall, 10005 Gulf Drive.

    Additionally, Percycoe said commissioners can pass budget amendments during the fiscal year to move funds from one item to another.

    Commissioners, including Woodland, unanimously adopted the 2.05 millage rate and approved the first reading of the ordinance establishing the 2014-15 budget.

        Commission Chair Chuck Webb and Commissioner Nancy Yetter were absent from the meeting.

Anna Maria by the
numbers

2013-14 millage rate: 2.05

Proposed 2014-15 millage: 2.05

Rollback rate: 1.8685 mills

Percent of tax increase: 9.7 percent

Proposed 2014-15 budget: $3.47 million

2013-14 budget: $3.12 million