Message from the Mayor...

Dear Citizen,

"A Commitment to the Basics" is this year's budget theme and it reflects our on-going pledge to provide quality essential services to the people we serve. For the 18th year in a row, there will be no change in the millage rate and our budget totals $728 million.

As we build our budget, each year we start with the needs of Police and Fire - public safety always comes first. Our crime rate continues its dramatic decline and Tampa Fire Rescue continues to need more personnel to meet the needs of growth. We then look to improvements for Parks and Recreation - a department that touches lives in a very positive way with quality recreational programming and more than 160 parks.

A commitment to the basics is also reflected in steady increases in our "Investing in Neighborhoods" program. This year $6.2 million will be allocated to resurface streets, build and repair sidewalks, replace signage and install traffic calming devices. This number represents a 13% increase from last year and a 138% increase since the start of our administration.

We are especially proud of the progress being made with our five-year Stormwater program. Last year the council and the administration implemented a program that was long overdue. Work is either underway or has been completed on 19 projects and we are adding nine additional projects for the new fifth year of the program in FY11.

A commitment to the basics also means a commitment to the long term financial health of our city government. I have been concerned that our city does not have adequate reserves to sustain us and provide funding for critical relief efforts should a catastrophic event, such as a hurricane, hit our community. Last year we started a restricted reserve fund and this year we are adding $5 million.

This year's budget reflects what we have heard from you over the past few years. You have told us that you want quality basic services and projects that improve neighborhoods. This budget reflects our commitment to you - a commitment to the basics - a commitment to improve our great city by building and maintaining a strong foundation.

Sincerely,

Pam Iorio