\u2018We don\u2019t know if there\u2019s going to be a wedding\u2019: Couple left in limbo after sudden St. Petersburg venue closure <\/a><\/p>\nCity leaders said economic development is about creating conditions to allow communities to thrive together.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe state of our economy is not only measured by what we build, it is measured by who benefits, who belongs, and who can see a future here,\u201d said Lisset Hanewicz, City Council Chair.<\/p>\n
But the city\u2019s economy and others across the state could see some strain in coming years, if voters pass an amendment in November to reduce or eliminate property taxes by raising homestead exemptions.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s a list from the city, pointing to services that could see a reduction if the proposal is passed:<\/p>\n
Community Enrichment \u2013 Operation and maintenance of city libraries, senior centers, and athletic and recreational facilities; and the mowing and maintenance of parks.<\/p>\n
Homeless Services \u2013 This includes city contributions to St. Vincent DePaul, Pinellas Safe Harbor and Pinellas Hope.<\/p>\n
Care for Seniors and the Disabled \u2013 This includes Meals on Wheels which provides thousands of meals for low-income seniors in the city.<\/p>\n
Arts and Culture Funding \u2013 This provides support to the Florida Orchestra, the Arts Conservatory for Teens, a variety of museums, and the individual artists.<\/p>\n
Youth Employment and Crime Prevention Programs \u2013 Supporting our local workforce and working to improve public safety, the city supports intervention and diversion programming like, Forward Together, CALL, and Safe Summer, and workforce programs like the Mayor\u2019s Future Ready Academy and a variety of literacy programs.<\/p>\n
Traffic signs, signal control, and street lighting<\/p>\n
Maintenance of engineering records, maps, GIS, etc.<\/p>\n
Planning and zoning services<\/p>\n
Codes inspections and compliance<\/p>\n
City administrative services, such as legal, procurement, HR, budget, and finance<\/p>\n
Community\/customer services<\/p>\n
Historic and environmental preservation<\/p>\n
Intergovernmental coordination<\/p>\n
Management of city property<\/p>\n
Economic development and redevelopment coordination<\/p>\n
The city said they anticipate impacts to the community through increased user fees, posing risks to:<\/p>\n
Affordable Housing \u2013 The city expects to need to reduce its affordable housing subsidies that fund\u00a0the city portion of new affordable housing developments.<\/p>\n
Community Events \u2013 The city currently charges lower than market rates for graduation ceremonies, proms for Pinellas County High Schools, and community events like Tim Tebow Night to Shine. Those events could see a doubling or tripling of event space costs. This would also extend to facilities like parks, libraries, a variety of waterfront spaces, and parking fees.<\/p>\n
Mayor Ken Welch called the amendment a bad proposal.<\/p>\n
\u201cCitizens should vote this down. It will do more harm than good. And if they want real property tax reform in terms of fairness with portability and other issues, we definitely need to do that,\u201d Welch said.<\/p>\n
He said there are uncertainties with national and state governments, but at the local level he said they will continue to work despite what happens in November.<\/p>\n
\u201cWithin that, we are still focused on our pillars for progress, including housing and economic development,\u201d Welch said. \u201cAnd the pillars are all tied together and I think it just makes it that much more important that we continue that work for affordable housing, for that triad of housing, transportation and jobs that we\u2019ve always been focused on, is even more important now.\u201d<\/p>\n
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