Indian Rocks Beach to get aboard green bandwagon
By HARLAN WEIKLE
Article published on Wednesday, April 9, 2008  |
INDIAN ROCKS BEACH – City staff and commissioners Tuesday night detailed what might be a new view of the community’s future, which includes higher costs, but a greener and more involved citizen-government partnership.
First, city staff presented a carefully crafted schedule for proposed increases in inspection permit fees levied by the building department. Building director John Mortellite informed the commission that while the department’s budget has averaged $145,000 annually for the past few years, due to reductions, the current estimated budget is $113,000.
“The department should be self-supporting and not a burden on the city,” Mortellite said.
The proposed increases, Mortellite maintained, were designed to be minimal for simple, homeowner improvements and maintenance such as air conditioner replacements. The current inspection fee for A/C installation inspection, $70, would increase by $15 to $85 compared to $117 in Pinellas Park, $97.50 for Seminole and $75 in the county; still, a 21 percent increase. The greater percentage increase would come to bear on new home construction with the inspection fees for a $400,000 home of 2,500 square feet rising from the current fee of just over $2,700 to $4,400 bringing the fee in line with neighboring municipals, yet nearly double the $2,300 charged by Pinellas County.
Mortellite told the commission he anticipated the county’s fees likely would be increasing soon and the proposed increases for Indian Rocks Beach were just a stop gap; that in all likelihood they would be back requesting further increases in two to three years.
The fee increase if approved would not take effect before June or July.
The commission then passed a resolution to adopt measures consistent with becoming a “Green Local Government” by means of improved environmental performance. The resolution, while not binding, sets the stage for future consideration of municipal and private actions that would decrease the community’s negative impact on the environment. Commissioner Bert Valery urged that the city, “Do this in all phases of government and give it the attention it deserves.”
Seemingly appending the Green Government resolution the commission discussed the merger of the city’s beautification board with the parks and recreation board to form one comprehensive body ostensibly lessening the fiscal impact of the combined body’s use of city staff resources. Commissioner Terry Wollin suggested that because there was a strong local interest among constituents regarding environmental issues the proposed board might be extended to include individuals advocating for environmental planning.
Finally, Commissioner Cookie Kennedy unveiled her vision of a future of IRB Civics Involvement, with the focus on children, but seniors and younger adults also are encouraged to learn through meetings and workshops the role of local government in their lives, how the machinery of municipal management works and ultimately becoming more involved in the process.
Kennedy cited a Government Day some years back in which children, including her son, Luke, took over the roles of the city officials for a day. The mayor at the time, Bob DiNicola, conducted the swearing in as the youngsters were installed in their respective offices and began learning first hand what government was and how it all worked. Kennedy said it made a great and lasting impression on her son, who has since attended commission meetings and takes an active interest in city affairs.
If adopted the program will be driven by donations of time and private funds, not costing the tax payer additional revenue. Kennedy offered to make the first in-kind contribution by assuming postage costs and her personal time to conduct a survey to determine citizen interest and gather additional ideas and suggestions from city residents.
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Article published on Wednesday, April 9, 2008
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