City Of Coral Springs 2009 Budget Balanced Without Tax Increase

By Nicol Jenkins
Editor

Despite a depressed economy, next year’s budget for the city of Coral Springs will be balanced.
That means no tax increases, no layoffs, and no public safety cuts, but some fee increases for Coral Springs residents.
Also, it means less bonuses and the elimination of some positions.  

“We were able to balance the budget for next fiscal year without a property tax increase,” said City Manager Mike Levinson. “It was about being lean and recognizing that the property tax was in the making and that the economy was down. Our residents will enjoy savings.”
However, the city’s budget for 2010 looks grim.

“I think we’ll see the worst in 2010, not 2009,” added Levinson.
The total 2009 budget is approximately $140 million. The Coral Springs City Commission reviewed the city’s 2009 business plan at a recent workshop. This business plan will be adopted July 22.
The city’s business plan includes:

• The average homestead homeowner to save $60.89 on city portion of property tax bill.
• Slight reduction in Debt Service millage rate
• Waste management fees will increase by 4.6 percent or $10.80 per contract, from $232.20 to $243 for single family homes.
• Fire assessment fee will increase by 5 percent or $4 to $5, from $99.95 to $105 per single family home.
• Water and sewer fee increase of 8.25 percent, effective July 1, 2008, and a recommended 5 percent fee increase in July 2009.

The balancing challenge was $5.5 million. City officials had to make cuts to lessen this shortfall. Among those cuts were: eliminating 18 full-time positions by attrition, eliminating 12 part-time positions, and reducing bonuses for general employees, not including police or fire positions.

In addition, the effect on the average homeowner in regards to millage rates is projected to change from $690 to about $629 or $609.
“Buy Coral Springs”

Because of the declining economy, City Commissioners discussed implementing new initiatives to help local businesses. Among those is a plan called “Buy Coral Springs”, in which the city will urge residents to keep purchases within the city. Some suggestions included creating a database of local businesses on the city’s website and kicking off the campaign at the Coral Square Mall.  

However, Commissioner Ted Mena objected to the mall. “I’m not happy with the mall. It’s a hangout for teens. Simon Mall needs to take control of the mall so more adults want to go there.”

Commissioners also suggested saving money by combining city events and holiday events with other cities.
Mayor Scott Brook also recommended amending the signage code so local businesses could add more or larger signs for advertising. “I’ve received 25 e-mails from local businesses on signs.”

However, Commissioner Roy Gold and others disagreed. “Many residents say that they don’t want monument signs or signs in their faces like other cities have,” said Gold.

The Commission agreed to take the signage topic out of the business plan.
Although the 2009 city budget appears rosy, city officials warn of 2010’s budget.