West Palm Beach to weigh budget cuts, tax rate today - Palm Beach Post

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

WEST PALM BEACH — The city commission needs to shed $4.3 million from the budget today, but Mayor Jeri Muoio's proposal doesn't include the salary reductions her transition team recommended.

Last month Muoio's transition team suggested cutting the salaries of all employees making more than $125,000 by 10 percent.

Finance Director Randy Sherman said the commission could still choose to reduce salaries, but he said the city can balance its budget without including salary cuts. The commission will vote on the 2011-2012 budget at a 5 p.m. meeting today.

The city already shed $40 million from its budget the past two years.

"You don't want to use one-time gimmicks to balance your budget," Sherman said. "Eventually you have to reverse it."

Under the proposed spending plan, every department will take a hit, with public works (4.4 percent) and the fire department (4.2 percent) taking some of the large cuts. A 1.8 percent cut is expected for the police department budget.

Despite decreased revenue, the city's proposal holds the tax rate at $8.07 per $1,000 of a home's value.

Currently, 17 employees make more than $125,000. A 10 percent deduction in salaries would save the city about $270,000.

Commissioner Kimberly Mitchell believes the commission will vote to cut salaries.

"I sense that the commission is committed to supporting that, although I could be wrong," Mitchell said. "It is considerable savings potentially, but that's not the reason you do it. We need to continue to push to get back to a place that is realistic, healthy and livable and demonstrates to all employees that upper management is willing to make those same sacrifices."

16 Sep, 2011

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