FWB City Council votes to raise property tax rate

FORT WALTON BEACH — Despite an outcry from residents Wednesday night, the City Council upheld its proposed 2011 budget, which increases the property tax rate.

Nearly 50 people turned out for the council meeting. Most of them were members of the Fort Walton Beach Tea Party, who dressed in red to oppose higher taxes.

The council voted 5-2 to approve the tentative $35.7 million budget and a property tax rate of 4.53 mills — an increase from the current rate of 4.19 mills.

Councilmen Dennis Reeves and C.H. “Bull” Rigdon voted no.

“I think there’s some areas in the city that have not been tapped,” Rigdon said.

Reeves agreed and said the city should consider eliminating certain jobs. He took issue with previous claims that the city has cut 19 positions this year for a savings of $1.4 million.

“If the job can be done with less employees, you get rid of employees,” he said. “In reality, we haven’t laid anyone off. We’ve moved people around. We have not eliminated, unless it through retirements … any positions.”

Residents spoke in opposition to and in support of the proposed budget.

Tea Party chairman Henry Kelley told the council it should consider consolidating or closing some of the city’s recreation facilities to save money and also look at cutting jobs.

“In the private sector, this is the first step a business would take,” he said. “Like Crestview, get creative with employee hours and furloughs. … We believe there is a lot of spending that can be cut.”

Others said Fort Walton Beach cannot afford to cut employees because they are the city’s most important asset.

“The thought of devaluing them by furloughs, I think that’s the ultimate lack of appreciation,” said Brad Bynum, a city resident since 1957. “We’ve got to take good care of what we’ve got.”

Local attorney Vince Bruner praised the council but warned members about raising property taxes amid a recession and the recent Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

“People without jobs are having trouble making their mortgages,” Bruner said. “Don’t increase your millage. … It’s just not the right time for it. It’s a time to be resourceful.”

The council also voted 5-2 to amend its proposed budget and give the Okaloosa County Economic Development Council the $14,000 it had requested in June. The city will take the money from contingency funds.

The council previously agreed not to fund the EDC.

Reeves and Rigdon were opposed.

The City Council will host its second public hearing and take a final vote on the 2011 budget at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 22.

The new fiscal year starts Oct. 1.