It's Your Money

Presented by the MCTA

We would like to begin on a positive note and congratulate the Martin County School District, particularly the teachers and students, for their outstanding performance on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment (FCAT) Tests. Last week it was announced that our students/schools had, at all grade levels tested, exceeded the State average, most by a significant margin. We have always held Martin County schools in high regard for their academic achievement and this year’s testing certainly reinforces that assessment. We understand that there are some drawbacks to this type of evaluation, but our children and teachers played the academic game by the rules given and won decisively.

We also have reason to be encouraged that a budget crisis, at least for our schools, may have been averted for this year. The Superintendent submitted her budget for the fiscal year beginning 1 July last week and it apparently has little negative impact on our schools – for next year. Also encouraging was that it was well received by the School Board.

With internal savings and help from the State by allowing diversion of a percentage of capital funds into other expenses, drastic cuts that would have otherwise had to be made were avoided, at least for next year. However, this should not result in complacency. All of our governments’ services will be confronted with some very real economic challenges in the next few years that will require them to live within their means and spend the taxpayer’s money wisely and more efficiently.   The Schools dodged a bullet this year with federal stimulus money and a reallocation of resources by the State. We will probably not be so lucky over the next few years.  

To illustrate this we would like to show you what we see as we evaluate Martin County’s economic problems by looking at other Florida Counties. The Florida Association of Counties publishes a daily FAC News Clips showing what is happening around the State. As this is being written the Clips from 28 May were released and included no positive articles. Below are excerpts from the headlines/stories covered:

BRADENTON HERALD
County will eliminate 82 positions
MANATEE - Manatee County's top executive confirmed Wednesday he will present a plan at a commission workshop today with fewer job positions to achieve the $32 million in cuts needed to balance next year's budget.

SARASOTA HERALD TRIBUNE
County official expects job loss
For the third year in a row, the county is expected to announce layoffs today as part of a move to cut $25 million from the next fiscal year's budget, …

SARASOTA HERALD TRIBUNE
North Port looks at cuts to some services
City will receive its new property assessment values Friday
NORTH PORT - Aside from police, fire and park services, all city services are on the budget chopping block, and cuts could come quickly after the city receives its new property assessment values Friday…..

FORT MYERS NEWS PRESS
Cape Coral discusses new taxes, assessments
City struggles to replace lost property tax revenue
The average Cape Coral homeowner could pay another $28 per month next year for city services if the Council passes new taxes and fees. The city's financial staff is recommending new taxes on electricity, gas and telephone service and a special fire service assessments to make up for plummeting property values.

CHARLOTTE SUN HERALD
Charlotte County Commission cuts $1.1 million from parks and rec
MURDOCK -- As Charlotte County's lengthy, grueling budget workshop process comes to a close, another $1.1 million in cuts from the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department were approved Wednesday. The cuts include fewer books at libraries, minimal grounds maintenance at 16 minor parks around the county, and the elimination of 17 full-time equivalent positions

ST. PETERSBURG TIMES
Hernando County's property values fall more than 12 percent BROOKSVILLE - Hernando County's property values continue to plummet, with the latest figures from the property appraiser's office showing a 12.3 percent drop over last year....

CHIEFLAND CITIZEN
Property values fall
Figures released for Levy County
If you heard a soft groan coming from city halls, town halls, and county and school offices it was to be expected. Levy County Property Appraiser … who at one time thought the decline in property values for the county would be about 7 percent, sent out his estimate showing it is (now) down over 10 percent….

TAMPA TRIBUNE
Hillsborough County's tax base falls 13 percent
Plummeting property values will mean lower tax bills this year for many Hillsborough County homeowners but more pain for cash-strapped local governments. Figures released today showed taxable property values fell by 13 percent this year, a decrease county property appraisers called unprecedented. “ We had a 5 percent cut last year, which was fairly monumental …"This dwarfs that….

We try not to let these type stories give us a negative attitude that can become infectious and maybe ever self perpetuating when we pass them along to our readers. However, we get hit with these almost every day - just as out elected officials do – and the above is just one day’s worth. We pass this along to illustrate why we have become ever more insistent that our elected officials honestly evaluate all of the possibilities for savings and begin a multi-year budget process. We believe this type thinkings is absolutely necessary to help prepare for what will most certainly be some lean years that they did not effectively anticipate.