By David DeCamp, Times Staff Writer
Monday, January 24, 2011
Pinellas County's tax base will dip again, taking money for government services with it.
Property Appraiser Pam Dubov estimates the county's tax roll will drop 5 to 8 percent, triggering a $21 million shortfall for 2012 in the county budget.
Though less than last year's 10 percent drop, the shrinking tax roll still will sap the source of funding for the sheriff's office, parks and other county services, making for a fifth straight year of cuts.
"We are still in a free fall. I know that sounds drastic, but since we don't yet see bottom, that's what it is," County Administrator Bob LaSala said Monday during a planning session among top county officials.
The falling tax base also will cause a $16 million shortfall in the county's EMS services budget, according to a ...
