In a serious briefing to City Council members, Mayor Iorio put on a positive face as she emphasized the value of having had taken action to cut city expenditures and staff last year. Over 100 employees still face the possibility of job elimination or transferring of positions to private companies under the Mayor’s “The Business of Government” plan. Most of those positions are in lower paying janitorial and security roles. The controversy of those cuts were emphasized previously by Council member John Dingfelder’s insistence on evaluating the profiles of those positions. Today’s meeting was the opportunity for Mayor Iorio as executive of the city to explain to council members the impact of new revenue cuts from a declining economy and the passage of Amendment one reducing property taxes. Additional concern was expressed concerning additional revenue cuts that are on the table before the Florida legislature during the upcoming session.

The Reality us at least an 8.9 million shortfall in the city budget with possible savings coming through the transferring of/and delaying of smaller capital projects and equipment purchases. While indicating that the delays would help during the current year, the long term result would lead to those purchases having to be made sometime in the future. Hopefully when the economy (and revenues) improve.

The overall City General Funds budget is at $346.6 million in 2008 with $345.3 estimated for 2009. Police expenditures top the list with a $133 million forecast in 2009. The overall deficit is currently projected at $16.8 million, but through Changing the Business of Government and debt service reduction, saving $7.9 million, the deficit remaining is $8.9 million. “The bottom line is we can get through without much position elimination” Mayor Iorio said. Council Member Charlie Miranda expressed his concern that the tax cutting, thus revenue reducing, attitude in Tallahassee would continue over a longer term pattern.

Council member Tom Scott welcomed the opportunity for input and was concerned about the long term impact the privatization of the 100 positions and asked for an evaluation of a small salary cut across the board for all city employees. Mayor Iorio indicated that due to labor contracts, many salaries could not be reduced. She further expressed concern about treating union employees different from nonunion employees.

Council member Linda Saul-Sena called on the media to comment carefully on the discussion as “there isn’t fat in the city budget.”

Many options were discussed including: shifting of funding of some projects and a possible increase of $1.58 to residents Solid Waste tax rates. Citing making cuts where the public will not feel the impact, the overall budget approach seemed well thought out.

Of note was the gradual arrival of City Councilmembers to this important meeting. At the 9:30 start, only Gwen Miller, Charlie Miranda and John Dingfelder were present. Mary Mulhern arrived at 9:35 and Linda Saul-Sena at 9:40. Tom Scott arrive at 9:55 while Joe Caetano never appeared.

John Dingfelder raised several questions about the proposed privatization of 100 positions and suggested the possibility of delaying the expenditure of $15 million on Curtis Hixon Park. There was some tension in the air as Mayor Iorio clearly indicated that the park project was not being paid for by general revenue funds but rather special tax funding. Dingfelder suggested the funds be used to decrease debt on the Tampa Convention Center, saving interest funds. Mayor Iorio bristled at the suggestion and indicated the failure to construct the park would be a poor indication of the commitment the City had made to residents, developers, and others in the future of downtown. Dingfelder suggested the area be sodded over at a significantly lower cost. The City Council will see that issue on their agenda in late March.

The significant summary of the meeting was that at this time while some vacant positions may not be filled, the risk of significant job cuts looks like they are off the table. But with only estimates and the Florida legislature about to be in session, anything might happen.

Let the Mayor or Council Members know what you think here.


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