Williston City Council Plans to Raise Taxes, Fees on Utilities

The Williston Sun News, September 7, 2001

The Williston City Council came to an agreement for a balanced budget Tuesday night that will raise property taxes, impose a tax on utilities, and cut the number of police officers.

City officials have been struggling to balance the budget for the new fiscal year that begins Oct. 1 and, after reviewing a budget that was still in the red at a budget meeting Monday night, Debra Jones, president of the council, and Jennifer Stull, the city's finance officer, met to put together a balanced budget. Their proposal was presented to the council Tuesday night. Councilman Cal Byrd was absent.

In the proposed budget, a 5% public service tax will be imposed on water, natural gas and electricity. The tax will also be imposed on those residents who receive their electricity from Central Florida Electric Cooperative. This tax will being in an estimated $144,128. The millage rate was increased from 3.4106 to 4.5.

The police department will be reduced from 13 sworn officers to 11.

Councilwoman Maxine Krueger expressed her opposition to the taxes and utilities and Councilman Jake Cason supported the increases. Council member Steve Holcomb did not comment on the proposed increases.

"City government is growing faster than the ability of the taxpaying people to keep up," Krueger said. "We need to downsize the government and cut expenses so that every year we do not need to come back to the public for more money."

Krueger said that if tax is imposed on utilities a increasing number of residents will need financial assistance in order to pay their utility bills. Last year, the Central Florida Community Action Agency provided $29,000 in financial aid to help Williston residents pay their utility bills.

A public hearing will be held before the budget is given final approval by the city council.

See September 7, 2001 issue of The Williston Sun News for original article.