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Paul “Andy” Stewart
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Tab 11
Ledger, The (Lakeland, FL)
March 19, 2011
Section: News
Polk County Officials: Worst Budget Cuts Yet To Come
Author: LEDGER STAFF
BARTOW The last two Polk County budgets have brought grim decisions. This year it will be
even worse, county officials are predicting. Behind the cuts was the collapse of the real estate
and home-building industry that had been the mainstay of the local economy as Polk was turning
into a bedroom community for the Orlando area.
The economic bust has driven down the county's property tax base, sales tax receipts and other
revenues that pay for day-to-day operations. The property tax roll, for instance, is predicted to
decline an additional 10 percent this year, according to Property Appraiser Marsha Faux. That's
on top of the unprecedented 27.7 percent decrease between 2008 and 2010. As a result, the core
of the county budget, the general fund, declined from $358 million to $326 million between 2009
and 2010 and is likely to drop lower when County Manager Jim Freeman unveils the 2011-12
budget this summer. The result will probably mean additional layoffs. Between 2008 and 2010,
county officials eliminated 272 positions. In addition, county officials have tried to cut costs in
other ways, such as going to one-day-a-week garbage collection and closing offices where utility
customers can pay bills in person.
…
DUNDEE
Town Manager Andy Stewart said the town has not received any stimulus money with the
exception of a $18,500 grant from the Department of Forestry for a tree planting downtown.
After increased tax revenues in 2008-2009, the town has experienced a steep decline in property
tax revenue since 2009. Figures supplied by Finance Director Martin Munger show that $1.32
million in property tax revenue was generated in 2008 ó 2009. Munger said the town has to date
collected $654,121 for the 2010-2011 year, $260,818 less than the budgeted amount of $914,939
and a 20.44 percent decrease from 2010.
Stewart compares the challenge for municipalities to what many families are experiencing at
home. "The price of gas, food, insurance, and child care are going up but the paychecks aren't
getting any bigger," he said.
[Article shortened as the rest addressed the other 12 cities in Polk County and did not mention
Mr. Stewart.]
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