City of Clearwater Approves 2010-2011 BudgetBy Josh ValoneThe Clearwater City Council met Thursday evening, setting both the millage rate and overall budget for the fiscal year 2010-2011. A proposed millage rate of 1.1550 mills was brought before the council for approval first, accompanied by a presentation breaking down the exact nature of budget expenditures. With no public comment the council voted unanimously 6-0 to approve the proposed millage rate. The overall budget was next up. At a proposed $369 million, the 2010-2011 budget is $5 million below the previous year's $374 million total. Public comment followed, but no amendments to the proposed budget were seriously considered. The possibility of a more robust "rainy day" fund was broached, but it was explained that if the city were to build up a significant nest egg for an emergency, it would be forced to reduce the millage rate and then operate at a lower total budget. Following public comment, the $369 million budget passed unanimously, it will officially go into effect October 1st. The city's six-year capital improvement plan was the next item on the agenda. The 2010-2011 portion of the plan was proposed at $52 million. The program is estimated to cost $306 million over the duration of the project. The proposed capital improvement budget passed unanimously. Following the budget proceedings, the council annexed over 40 homes on twelve streets. The annexation of these homes had previously been debated earlier this month, although there was no public comment on the matter this week. The proposed annexation passed unanimously.
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