No layoffs planned in Avon Park government

There will be no layoffs and no closing of departments - at least for the first quarter for the city of Avon Park. That's great news after the city faced tough budgetary constraints during the beginning of the 2009-2010 fiscal year.

According to Finance Director Renee Green, most departments are under budget.

Conservative spending has reduced the operational expenses of all departments with the exception of the airport, which incurred an additional $11,900 expense for repairs to runway lights.

Public safety, which comprises 41 percent of the $6 million general fund revenue, has spent 64 percent less in operational expenses than anticipated.

Green said monthly meetings and updates on spending have helped department heads stay within their means.

Within public safety each department was under budget:

•Police 11 percent

•Fire 10 percent

•Code enforcement 19 percent

•Planning and zoning 24 percent.

Green made a point on a common misconception among residents. The city's $1.5 million in collected property tax doesn't cover the police department's $1.8 million budget.

"It won't even cover the police department much less any other department," Green said.

Although the Highlands County Tax Collectors Office does not have a report on the amount of delinquent property taxes available, this year the city expects to make $50,000 in revenue from paid delinquent property taxes.

Aside from a low property tax roll, the city has another hurdle when it comes to collecting on revenue. The fire assessment fees, estimated at $936,203, cover 74 percent of the fire department's annual budget of $1,264,230. As of Feb. 10 the city had an estimated $52,103.25 in unpaid fire fees.

This amount was assessed within the department's budget but Green said that it has been a concern during prior budget meetings.

As far as closing the department, "It's an option every year ... but we're not at that stage this year," Green said.

Budget at a glance

Operational expenses for Parks and Recreations under budget percentages: street department 35 percent, parks department 43 percent, recreation 24 percent, community center 4 percent.

In operational expenses the public works department was under budget 16 percent and solid waste by 10 percent.

The city's airport budget was based on full occupancy of their T-hangars. Currently they have seven empty rental units, leaving them with $7,222 less than anticipated.

Water and Sewer revenues are down this year due to conservative water usage and lack of new developments.

In water and sewer revenues the city collected $168,122 less than budgeted: $75,657, 14 percent, less than expected in water and $92,465, 9 percent, less than expected in sewer revenues.