If it's in the paper it has to be correct ?
Your County Commission did not vote to raise the millage rate at the last moment. State law allows for an administrative adjustment to be made when the final valuations from the Property Appraiser are lower than the estimates used during the public budget hearing process. Mr. Imfeld was simply notifying the Commissioners of what state statutes provide in the way of remedy.
Just to set the record straight the Walton County Commission has lowered its annual budget for three straight years. For the 2009-2010 budget year they cut $10,452,000 - the previous year they reduced their budget by $16,759,000 and in 2008 they cut $9,316,000.
The total amount sliced from the budget in 3 Years is $36,527,000 dollars.
Folks that is not chicken feed. Can more be done - YES but at what cost in the services we all enjoy.
The taxpayers association closely monitors the BCC budgets and expenditures. We were they only members of the public to attend and speak on the proposed budget.
The County has made substantial cuts in three years.
We will continue to look for different more cost effective ways to deliver the services we deem necessary and offer those suggestions to the Commission.
I am sure that our Commissioners will do the same.
PS - Walton County still has the 2nd lowest millage rate in Florida.
BH