Escambia County Administrator Randy Oliver stopped by the IN offices to discuss the 2011-12 budget. The good news is the budget is balanced without a tax increase despite a projected 3.5 percent decrease in property taxes.
County employees will have to pay 3.1 percent of their retirement, but Oliver is recommending a 3.1 percent across-the-board pay increase so that employees will only take a minimal hit on their take-home pay.
“We are only able to do this because our legislators worked hard to make sure that the saving in Florida Retirement System contributions stayed with the county,” said Oliver. Originally, Gov. Scott had the savings being used to help the state balance its budget.
Employees will be contributing more to their health insurance with the goal of getting it to an 80/20 ratio in a few years. The increase is will range from $1.60 monthly for single coverage to $22 monthly for full family coverage.
Oliver is recommending that one paid holiday be eliminated. He will cut 17 positions that are currently unfilled and add 3 new ones – web master, voice over IP person and Equestrian Center manager. Net 14 positions cut, savings $560,000.
Funding for Escambia Community Clinics . PEDC, NW Florida Comprehensive Services for Children, West Florida Regional Planning, Veteran’s Services and ECAT will stay the same – with ECAT getting an adjustment for fuel cost increases.
The Library system will be hit with a 3.5 percent reduction –which is the same cut other county departments have been hit with. The library system is managed by the City of Pensacola.
The Pensacola Chamber of Commerce will get $400,000 for its Vision 2015—$350K from electric franchise fees and $50K from general fund. Other outside agencies, which includes United Way, will be hit with a 15-percent cut.
General Fund contingency reserves will remain at 2010-11 levels – which is about 7 percent of general fund revenues.