Proposed 2009 Budget Unveiled Tuesday

BROOKSVILLE Budget Director George Zoettlein will present his much-anticipated proposed 2009 budget on Tuesday to county commissioners.

Commissioners will have one week to review it, suggest changes and decide where the budget cutting ax will fall.

The board will then meet July 22 at its regular commission meeting to discuss the budget and hear from department managers. Public input will be taken at that time.

If needed, commissioners will also meet at 9 a.m. July 23 for more budget discussion.

So far, there are no plans to tamper with the existing millage rate of 5.43, Assistant Budget Director Terri McClanahan said Friday.

That means the millage rate, based on the county's 2008 assessed valuation, would bring in $54.5 million, or about $7.5 million less than what it brought in last year - which was $62 million.

By state law, commissioners can increase the millage rate to the maximum allowable rate of 5.89. If that happens, the county would bring in about $59 million, or $4.5 million

County commissioners have until Aug. 4 to advise the property appraiser of the proposed millage rate and the current year rolled-back rate.

At 5:01 p.m. Sept. 11, they will hold a public hearing on the tentative budget and proposed millage rate.

There will be another public hearing on Sept. 25 to adopt the final millage rate and budget.

The 2009 budget becomes effective Oct. 1.

Tuesday's meeting will begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday at the Hernando County Government Center, 20 North Main St. in downtown Brooksville.

Also at that meeting, commissioners will discuss a request from the code enforcement director to close the Animal Services facility on Saturdays.

Interim Director Mark Caskie said the move is necessary because of a reduction in staff. And, because of budget constraints, the department cannot hire any more people, he said.