Tax rate stays the same

The City Commission did not raise taxes for the 2011/12 fiscal year, but the usually quick second reading and final approval meeting on the millage rate and budget for FY 2011/12, was an unusual one in several aspects. Usually, the meeting is not televised, because it's a quick reading of the ordinances and a vote, with almost no discussion. But City Manager David Recor, announcing the meeting would be televised so that the public could hear the truth, made a presentation from the podium, characterizing as "dire" the city's financial health, not for this year, but in 2013 and 2014. He listed Citizens Budget Advisory Committee recommendations and characterized those not acted on as unrealistic and unnecessary. He announced the resignation of a valuable department head, as a symptom of low staff morale, and later in his remarks he asked the commission to wish Jon Ward well. In their discussions, Commissioners Alexander and Sessions supported Recor's remarks, but Mayor Benton, and Commissioners Becht and Perona did not. The final vote was 5-0, however, to keep the tax rate the same, even after Recor ask that the Commission at least consider the roll back rate for one year only, saying if they don't need it they'll give it back to the citizens.

Read about the meeting here:

http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2011/sep/26/fort-pierce-tax-rate-unchanged-despite-city/