This report to the people is designed to explain how your tax monies
are spent by your city government. This year's budget for the City of
Tampa totals $646 million, a 2% decrease from FY03, with no increase in
the property tax millage rate for the 15th consecutive year.
Tampa is a great city because of the strength of our neighborhoods -
neighborhoods that are diverse and unique. This budget recognizes the
importance of constantly investing our tax dollars in those quality of
life initiatives that make a difference. This year's budget theme is "Investing
in Neighborhoods." What does this mean to you?
• Additional personnel for Police and Fire Rescue bring staffing
levels to 1,002 uniformed police officers and 552 uniformed firefighters
and rescue personnel. A recommitment to community policing and a commitment
to our residents that every neighborhood can be safe.
• A more aggressive, proactive, systematic and comprehensive approach
to code enforcement with the addition of five new inspectors, and laptop
computers in cars for greater efficiency.
• A 55% increase in the amount of money devoted to the replacement
of street signs, sidewalks, traffic calming devices and resurfacing.
• The addition of 36 positions to the Parks and Recreation Department
to provide staffing for new and renovated community centers and ballfields.
Construction and improvements to more than 30 parks and recreation facilities
city-wide.
These and other improvements reflect this administration's philosophy.
Government should focus on providing quality basic services taxpayers
expect. Citizens should expect their government to run efficiently with
an emphasis on customer service. This budget aims to be fiscally responsible,
continuing the current level of services and providing improved services
where possible.
Working with your City Council, we have produced a budget designed to
meet the needs of the citizens. It is an honor to serve you; to help
shape the future of our great city in a positive and progressive way.
Sincerely,
Pam Iorio, Mayor
• Approximately 650 vacant lots are mowed and cleared
of debris each year.
• The Parks and Recreation Department irrigation system has over
30,000 sprinkler heads and over 66 miles of pipes.
• Built in 1911, Old Fire Station One (now the Tampa Firefighters
Museum) was the last Tampa fire station designed to accommodate horses.
• The Ybor City Historic District welcomed over 2 million visitors
in the last year.
• Approximately 115 condemned properties are demolished annually.
• There are over 600 picnic tables in the City of Tampa Parks and
Recreation Department.
• Guest Services assists, on a monthly basis, over 17,000 guests
with directions in and around the Tampa Convention Center.
• The Tampa Theatre has 10,000 light bulbs.
• There are 556 certified businesses listed in the Women and Minority
Business Enterprises Directory as of July 2003.
• Fleet Maintenance personnel worked on over 16,000 repair orders
with more than 100,000 parts issued in FY02.
• Over 10,000 linear feet of Ybor City's sidewalks were repaired
or replaced in FY03.
• Stormwater will be installing 31 filtration devices on selected
outfalls under a joint Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD)
funded program. This pilot program will gauge the effectiveness of these
devices in an effort to reduce sediment and pollutants into our waterways.
• The Strategic Planning and Technology Department received a Future
of the Region Award of Excellence from the Tampa Bay Regional Planning
Council (March 2003) for the development of the City of Tampa Neighborhood
Information Page. The award honors notable, innovative achievements in
Resource Planning and Management in the Tampa Bay Region.
• The Tampa Museum of Art's collection of Greek and Roman art is
the finest such collection in the southeastern U.S. Objects include pottery,
bronzes, and marble sculpture, which relate the historical contribution
of the Greek and Roman civilizations to modern government, science, athletic
competition, and visual and performing arts.
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