Crestview makes deep budget cuts to avoid raising property tax

CRESTVIEW — In an attempt to head off an increase in property taxes, the city will implement a four-day work week for employees beginning Oct. 6.

City offices will be open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and will be closed Fridays. Some city departments, such as police and fire, must make adjustments to ensure round-the-clock coverage, City Clerk Janice Young said.

The four-day work week is among several cost-saving measures the Crestview City Council has approved to offset an anticipated $3 million shortfall in general revenue funds during fiscal 2011, which begins Oct. 1.

Council members unanimously approved the budget cuts at a recent meeting in an effort to keep the property tax rate at 5.846 mills.

The millage rate will be adopted after two public hearings Sept. 8 and Sept. 22.

The spending cuts include eliminating employee positions, contracting out some city services and requiring 80 hours of unpaid furlough for city employees.

Police Chief Brian Mitchell asked the council to reduce or eliminate the furlough days if finances improve during the next fiscal year.

“If some windfall comes up or we save some money, more than we thought, those furlough days would probably be a priority for us,” Mitchell said.

The council also voted 3-2 to eliminate the city’s Animal Services Division and contract the work out to the Panhandle Animal Welfare Society. Council members Bob Allen and Linda Parker were opposed.

Council Chairman Charles Baugh Jr., said the move would save taxpayers $123,000 a year. However, Administrative Services Director Mike Wing said the annual savings only would be $56,400 and that the level of service would suffer.

“When we’ve explored the possibility of contracting with PAWS, we have heard extensively from the public about it and we will in this instance again, I’m sure,” Wing said.

The council unanimously approved removing the Robert L.F. Sikes Library from under Administrative Services and let it operate as a separate entity. Council members also agreed to shift code enforcement from Administrative Services to the Police Department.