Palmetto commission approves millage, budget

PALMETTO - Like a lot of cities in the region and several counties, Palmetto has had to cut back its spending.

Lower property values, a collapse in construction spending and less consumer spending have taken their toll across the state, and on Monday night that reality came home as the Palmetto City Commission took its final votes on the millage rate and budget.

A millage rate of 4.9162 was chosen in early August, but on Sept. 14 the commissioners voted to approve the previous year's millage of 4.6662. On Monday night, they approved that millage 5-0 and then voted 5-0 to pass the city's $29.5 million budget.

The 4.6662 millage is 10.14 percent below the rollback rate of 5.1925 mills. The millage rate of 4.9162 had been a compromise that would have brought in more money, but elected officials have been reluctant to raise millage rates in the tough economy.

In other Palmetto City Commission action, the commissioners voted 5-0 on the consent agenda to:

• Approve the Kirk Pinkerton Special Litigation payment
• Approve a letter agreeing to be part of the the Sarasota Manatee MPO Tamiami Trail Brownfields Revitalization Initiative Coalition

A special function permit for the Fall Art Show was pulled from the consent agenda and passed 5-0.

Commissioners also voted 5-0 to extend the time needed to complete the city's charter review and transmit an amendment to the city's comprehensive plan to the State of Florida Land Planning Agency.

Also approved 5-0 were two amendments to the 2009 budget, one for work on the wastewater treatment plan and another to fund the Medical Reserve Fund with $275,000 because health insurance claims have been higher than expected; an amendment to record the sale of city and Community Redevelopment Agency properties and transfer the funds to capital projects; the Edenfield property site assessment, since it turns out that the city owns the land; a memorandum of understanding between Manatee County law enforcement agencies on sharing radio communications; and contract approval for school resource officers.