Clearwater’s Millage Rate to IncreaseBy c.j. pollick CLEARWATER – Clearwater City Council plans to adopt a millage rate of 4.9550 mills for tax year 2008/09. Public hearing dates regarding the city budget are planned for Sept. 4th and Sept. 18th, 2008. The current city millage rate is 4.667 mills while the new millage rate is proposed to be 4.9550 mills. The city planners explained that even though the proposed millage rate is an increase from last year, reduced property valuations will likely equate to a tax reduction for people with homes valued at $350,000 or less. City council members are planning to cut the city budget by $21 million in fiscal year 2008/09. In other city business, the city plans to approve a contract for the Clearwater Bayfront Promenade to Misener Marine Construction of Tampa in the amount of $1,480,139.00. City Staff will be authorized to initiate financing of the project. The project will include a 20-foot promenade on the downtown waterfront extending into Clearwater Harbor, using old piers from the Memorial Causeway Bridge. The new structure will ultimately be connected to the proposed downtown Clearwater slip project. |