Iorio proposes garbage fee increase

TAMPA -- Mayor Pam Iorio has proposed increasing garbage collection fees to offset revenue losses caused by changes in state property tax rules.

The $1.58-per-month increase would free up $3.2-million in the city’s operating budget, she told City Council members in a special called meeting today. The council will have to approve a fee increase.

Iorio said preliminary figures show the city needs to cut $16.8-million from next year’s budget to accommodate property tax changes approved by Florida voters on Jan. 29.

Other savings will come through a $4.5-million reduction in construction debt payments, and by putting off $2-million to $3-million in small construction projects. In November, Iorio also unveiled a proposal to save $3.4-million next year by making technological improvements and laying off about 100 employees, mostly janitorial and security workers, and contracting their work out to private companies.

Council members, though, say they don’t like the idea of the lay-offs and privatization. At today's meeting they suggested limiting pay raises instead and eliminating positions through attrition.

Council member John Dingfelder suggested scaling back the $15-million remake of Curtis Hixon Park. "It could be a $1-million park. Put down some dirt, and put down some sod and make it look nice on a temporary basis until the city’s on better footing,” he said.

Iorio said that's not an option because the park is integral to the construction of new art and children's museums.

- Janet Zink, Times staff writer

Comments

[William]

I still haven't heard any City Council member saying they should take a pay cut to help with the budget crisis.

[John]

So let me get this straight... we the voters ask that property taxes be lowered and in return fees for services go up? Hmm, call me a pessimist, but I fail to see how the spirit of what we were asking for is being upheld?

[Greg]

Okay, so they paid for $400K for an ugly statue outside of the Federal Courthouse, and wasted $12 million for the design of the new museum, which was trashed, and now want to spend $15 million on Curtis Hixon park. This is the kind of waste that has to stop...stop this, and there will be no need to raise the cost of services!

[Ron]

Make notes and keep all of this in mind come election time. Any official that votes to increase fees needs to be voted out of office the next time. The citizens spoke loudly when we decided that enough was enough when it came to escalating taxes, and out of control government spending. The citizens never intended for our officials to raise fees in other areas, not subject to citizen approval, so that they can keep up their greedy spending. This is a slap in the face, and a total disregard for the voters wishes for Iorio to be doing anything like this so soon after the election. This was the election where the people spoke, but apparently Iorio did not, or refused to, listen. She is a disgrace to her office.

[Richard]

Wheres the outrage in this country. An all out reveolution to throw all these bums out has to start. Ltes quit being the chumps folks.

[John]

5% pay cut for the politicians before any layoffs or program cut-backs.

[voxy]

Proud of John Dingfelder !!!
Thanks, Mr. Dingfelder !!

[Johnny]

Good point about wasting money on museum plans that Iorio trashed, and now wants to waste $15 million on the park.

Can we get Dingfelder to run for Mayor???!!!!!!

[Dave]

So Mayor Pam Iorio wants to make some changes? She should discontinue her personal security detail, and driver; take a 25% pay-cut, work longer hours, and get less benefits!

[naty]

They should consildate Tampa and Hillsborough goverment services. This would save money and get rid of duplicate services. from parks dept to public saftey. This would be good timing to put differences aside. Raising fees is not the answer. "cutting one thing to raise another". Consolidating would benefit Tampa and Hillsborough as a whole

[mary_orlando@hotmail.com]

And people who voted for this amendment didn't think this was going to happen? Wake up, People...this is just the beginning...we are going to be paying even more taxes when it is all over.

[Brondie25]

And people who voted for this amendment didn't think this was going to happen? Wake up, People...this is just the beginning...we are going to be paying even more taxes when it is all over.

[Not The Marlboro Man]

The Bottom line Tampa pays more out than Tampa takes in. There is too much free housing and too much of a government nipple to suck off of in city so therefore, any tax decrease will throw any budget off kilter.

Elliminate all the free crap to the undeserving and make them work for a change. Quit giving them the unecissary subsidies and free lunches that everyone else has to pay for, then come up with a budget that is fair to tax payers and not freeloaders.

In other words if you don't work you can't live in Tampa!