Pinellas County - Clearwater Beach - Sand Key - Belleair Shore/Beach
Indian Rocks Beach - Indian Shores - Redington Shores - No. Redington Beach
Redington Beach - Madeira Beach - Treasure Island - St. Pete Beach
TI briefs
By Brittany Smith
TREASURE ISLAND — A pamphlet titled “Public Notice” was distributed in the middle of the night prior to the Sept. 17 commission meeting. The pamphlet raised controversy describing a 20 percent increase in the city’s budget for next year in addition to other fee increases. The commission and mayor repeatedly denied the accusations contained in the pamphlet. “It’s not true,” Mayor Mary Maloof said of the 20 percent increase. She later stated she and City Manager Reid Silverboard believe many of the claims came not from the budget, but from an online list of capital improvements. The online list is a list of foreseeable improvements and not an
actual representation of the budget.
One resident described the pamphlet as “propaganda.”
Despite the controversy, the commission passed Ordinance 08-12 setting the final budget for fiscal year 2008-2009.
The city manager explained many of the revenue losses the city is facing going into the next fiscal year. He cited the Florida State Legislature’s “so-called tax reforms” and Amendment 1 as contributing causes of revenue losses not only for Treasure Island but cities throughout the state of Florida. Mayor Maloof supported his claims by reminding the public of the crisis the state is facing.
“The governor is raiding all of the trust funds, including the tobacco money,” she said, adding that the entire country is feeling the pains of a weak economy.
Unlike federal and state governments, under Florida law, cities are not allowed to run deficits. As such, budget appropriation is a critical part of city operations.
The city also passed Resolution 08-92 adopting the final tentative millage rate at 2.4999 mils. “Which is 8.52 percent less than the rollback rate of 2.7327,” Mayor Maloof said. The mayor indicated the rollback rate would have brought in the same amount of money as last year. She also mentioned that Florida is ranked 47th in the country regarding states with the lowest property taxes.
Gulf Beaches Library
The library funding also proved a hot topic at the commission meeting. The library’s budget came under scrutiny, as did statistics concerning Treasure Island residents’ use of the library. Gulf Beaches Library Director Jan Horah explained to the commission each city pays into the cooperative based on a per capita charge. Treasure Island, although contributing the highest total amount ($107,000) of the five municipalities
involved with the cooperative actually pays the lowest per capita amount, equaling a little less than $15
per resident, according to Horah.
Many residents were present to support funding for the library but some opposed the funding, preferring a user fee system, instead.
“Everyone has an agenda,” Commissioner Phil Collins said in regards to residents’ suggestions to support
funding for some recreation activities but not others. “And I’m a big fan of compromise,” he added.
After almost three hours of discussion, Commissioner Collins suggested the city request an extension of its first payment regarding the library cooperative until further details can be worked out among the participating municipalities and the library.
An emergency meeting was held Monday, Sept. 22 at the Gulf Beaches Library with Mayor Maloof, Commissioner Collins and the library board to judge whether or not Treasure Island exhausted
all of its resources regarding its effort to fund library access. Commissioner Collins asked the library board if there was anything the library could do to cut its budget. He suggested the library might be able to cut back by reducing the hours of operation or staff salaries that, according to Collins, make up 70 percent of the library’s budget. “I’m trying everything I can think of here,” he said. He also said there were several
people from the board who “seemed indignant at my even suggesting a cutback” and ”right now every municipality in the country is cutting back.”
Mayor Maloof described the meeting as unsuccessful but remains optimistic. The city manager of Madeira Beach told Mayor Maloof he will be speaking with Horah to discuss and encourage the library to take Treasure Island’s requests into consideration.
Some voiced concern for the impracticality of reaching a compromise in such a short time frame but before the start of the fiscal year, the commission agreed to allocate enough money from the fund balance for the city’s first payment in hopes of being able to reach a deal that will significantly reduce the city’s payment amount. The issue will be revisited at the next meeting slated for Tuesday, Oct. 7. “This will be our last shot,” Mayor
Maloof said.
The city will be setting up a tent at the Turtle Festival on Oct. 11 in an effort to raise funds for the library payment.
Treasure Islettes civic update
The Treasure Islettes were founded by a group of friends residing in Treasure Island. The ladies chartered the organization in 1955 and it flourished in this beach community during an era when there was little competition from other clubs. Membership rolls once peaked at more than 300. Being a Treasure Islette means having
pride in our neighborhood and sharing a sense of sorority. Over the years the Treasure Islettes’ extensive fundraising efforts donated cash and equipment valued at more than half a million dollars. Recipients of Islette
benevolence include the city of Treasure Island (Fire, Police and Recreation Department), various local business and civic associations, area hospitals, local charities, needy families, children’s clubs, schools and scholarship students. The Treasure Islettes also provide flowers and plants in various locations to help beautify the city. The organization also provides weekly Bingo at the community center year round for locals and tourists every Thursday evening. Treasure Islettes is open to all women living in Treasure Island. The group usually meets the fourth Monday evening at the community center for a short business meeting and program. The organization entertains a card party in fall and other activities during the year. If you live in
Treasure Island on a seasonal basis or year round, feel free to come and join the ladies some Monday evening.
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