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Treasure Island talks about big cutbacks
By LEE DIEKEMPER
Article published on Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2008 |
TREASURE ISLAND – City Manager Reid Silverboard and city commissioners discussed the possibility of the police and fire departments being dissolved and using county sheriff’s deputies to police the island during an Aug. 5 meeting.
“Our fund balance cannot continue to fund our city,” Silverboard said. “I know this is painful to do. I’m telling you for the financial well-being of the city we need to take these steps.”
Commissioner Ed Gayton countered that “it’s time to give residents a break.”
He said that the city takes in four times the amount of revenue as it did in 2001. Instead of raising taxes, Gayton said expenses need to be trimmed.
Commissioner Bob Minning said that 70 percent of the city’s budget is tied up in personal services, including the police force and fire department.
“We need to take care of the big ticket items,” Minning said. “Keeping our police force – well, that may have changed.”
Minning suggested the taxes would amount to 9 cents a day per resident. “I think my district would support 9 cents a day.”
Swim zones for Sunset Beach
A topic that garnered a tremendous amount of interest from citizens which at times led to heated exchanges at previous commission meetings was a proposed ordinance that prevented boats from mooring off of Sunset Beach within 300 feet to create a safe swim zone.
While no action was taken, it appears there has been a compromised plan. A new plan would allow boats to come within 100 feet of the beach and moor to take advantage of a few of Sunset Beach’s beachfront establishments.
The area of concern would be from Weckesser Park to the north and Blind Pass to the south. The original compromise would have allowed for a 100-foot wide corridor for boats to drop passengers off on the beach and return to the mooring area.
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Article published on Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2008
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