By TED JACKOVICS | The Tampa Tribune 

Published: August 01, 2011
Updated: August 01, 2011 – 5:17 PM

TAMPA —

The HART board today voted to increase the maximum possible millage rate to balance its 2012 and 2013 budgets by an amount that would add 41 cents to the average homeowner’s transit-related property tax to $45.21 a year

Without an increase in the millage rate from 0.4682 per $1,000 of household value to 0.5 mills, the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority would lose $1.84 million in revenue next year because property values have declined, HART staff members said.

That would create further bus service reductions in addition to those enacted this summer and planned for November, HART staff members said.

The HART board adopts a millage rate Sept. 26. Hillsborough County Commissioners do not vote on HART millage.

HART commissioners Sandra Murman, also a county commissioner, and John Byczek opposed the increase in millage. Murman said she could not support any tax increase at this point in time.

HART commissioner and county commissioner Mark Sharpe said he changed his mind at the meeting to support the millage rate increase because he was concerned – as were other HART board members – that service cuts would be counterproductive to residents’ efforts to reach work or get jobs.

In other business, the HART board approved a contract to purchase 41 new shelters in 2012 from Tolar Manufacturing Co. Inc., for a price not to exceed $846,220.

HART has one shelter for every seven bus stops, up from one in every 15 three years ago. There are currently more than 3,500 bus stops throughout Hillsborough County.”This is good news for our customers who want more coverage from extreme weather elements this area experiences,” HART spokeswoman Marcia Mejia said.

Hillsborough County News

August 1, 2011

Contact: Commissioner Sandra L. Murman’s office, (813) 272-5470


Hillsborough Commissioner Sandra Murman Hosts Community Office Hours On August 5

 

Hillsborough County Commissioner Sandra L. Murman, District 1, is hosting office hours in the community to hear from residents without them having to travel to County Center in downtown Tampa.

 

Commissioner Murman and her staff welcome this opportunity to meet residents and to discuss their thoughts and concerns on various projects and community issues taking place in Hillsborough County.

 

No appointment is necessary to meet with Commissioner Sandra Murman and her staff. Residents are seen on a first-come, first-served basis.

 

The community office hours are:

 

Friday, August 5

11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Jan K. Platt Library

3910 S. Manhattan Ave. in Tampa

Witt Community Room

Commissioner Murman mentioned in this Creative Loafing article on HART:

Posted by Mitch Perry on Mon, Aug 1, 2011 at 11:46 AM

As we’ve noted on various occasions, last November’s rejection of a transit tax in Hillsborough County not only killed the possibility of a light rail system being built anytime soon, but nine months later, there aren’t any plans now over the next 10 years to revisit the issue.

However, members who serve on Hillsborough County’s transit agency, HART, have said that what they can do for now is to concentrate on what they do best – efficient bus service.

But when it came time on Monday to vote to approve a maximum millage rate that the board will consider, which meant voting for a minimal increase in taxes to alleviate a large reduction in service, one Hillsborough County Republican chose to eschew the no-taxes mantra of his party and supported the modest measure, and one did not.

The millage increase would go from .4682 to .5. When the issue came before the board two months ago, both Sandy Murman and Mark Sharpe voted against it.

Murman said again Monday that she couldn’t support the raise, saying she would look like a “hypocrite” after supporting a decrease in the millage last week with her position on the County Commission. “I think we have to dig a little deeper,” she said, adding that asking all of the taxpayers in Hillsborough to raise their millage when only a small percentage utilize their services would be unfair.

But commissioner Kevin Beckner warned that a failure to raise the millage would interfere with the stated goal of the board to increase its basic services, not cut them. He then asked Katharine Eagan, the chief operating officer for HART, what would happen if the board ultimately voted not to increase the millage?

She recited a litany of service cuts that would include, eliminating weekend service in south Hillsborough on weekends, no service out to Brandon hospital on weekends, no Christmas or Thanksgiving service, and fewer rides from Brandon to MacDill Air Force Base.

HART has already cut 1.4 percent of its bus routes since March of 2010, but another reduction would eliminate two to three percent of current routes, or roughly twice as much as what has already been cut.

It was also revealed that the millage increase, which would add $1.8 million to HART’s coffers, would break down to about 41 cents per month to Hillsborough citizens via their property taxes (that’s based on the average household value of $90,420 in 2012).

After listening to Eagan, Hillsborough County Commissioner Mark Sharpe said that he had changed his mind, and would now vote for the tax increase. Calling Commissioner a “kindred spirit,” Sharpe said he understood where she was coming from, but said he couldn’t go along with her in not approving the raise, adding,”My concern is we’d be entering into a death spiral, we’d be fulfilling a prophesy,” by eliminating service routes.

Today’s vote was on setting the maximum millage, but not the final vote locking in the new millage rates.

By LOIS KINDLE | The Tampa Tribune

Commissioner Murman with Commissioner Ken Hagan and Hillsborough County Hispanic Liaison Tony Morejon.

Published: July 27, 2011

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RUSKIN —

The parking lot of the VFW post was filled to capacity and vehicles spilled onto the shoulder of U.S 41 at the newly formed SouthShore Chamber of Commerce’s first Business After Hours July 20.

Executive Director Melanie Morrison said she was ecstatic about the size of the crowd.

“What a fabulous turnout,” she said, surveying the room. Everyone is networking, meeting lots of new people. The enthusiasm in the room is contagious.”

Melanie Morrison, executive director of the SouthShore Chamber of Commerce, left, greets Connie Lesko of Freedom Plaza.

Melanie Morrison, executive director of the SouthShore Chamber of Commerce, left, greets Connie Lesko of Freedom Plaza.

Part of the agenda included the announcement of the 2011-12 honorary mayor of Apollo Beach: Molly Maxwell-Edmunds of Universal Power Solutions. She and opponent Georgia Thomas of Victoria’s 5th Avenue Salon raised $22,000, $10,000 more than last year’s total.

Members of Southshore Chamber of Commerce

“We had two superb candidates who poured their hearts and souls into their campaigns,” said Ron Seagren, who served as vice president for the Apollo Beach chamber before it merged recently with the Ruskin-SouthShore chamber to become the new SouthShore chamber. “They did an excellent job and received lots of support from the community. Their campaigns were spirited and very successful.

Both women will donate half their proceeds to their charities of choice, and the remainder went to the Apollo Beach chamber.

Times: Parks Budget scales back programs

Commissioner Murman quoted in this Times article on Parks budget:

Hillsborough commissioners approve controversial scaling back of after-school programs

By Bill Varian, Times Staff Writer

In Print: Thursday, July 28, 2011

http://www.tampabay.com/news/localgovernment/hillsborough-commissioners-approve-controversial-scaling-back-of/1182693

TAMPA — A divided Hillsborough County Commission voted Wednesday to dramatically scale back after-school parks programs, a budget cut that has drawn spirited condemnation from parents.

But commissioners left open the prospect of revisiting the issue, planning to talk next month about whether they can keep the programs operating at more parks than were approved Wednesday.

“I think we’re probably far away from a resolution on this,” said Commissioner Sandra Murman, saying she thinks a broader board discussion on how it serves children is needed.

The vote came as commissioners met to make some of the main unresolved budget decisions needed to set a tentative property tax rate for next fiscal year. Commissioners agreed to shave a tiny fraction from the current rate, reducing the county’s portion of the tax bill on a $200,000 home with a $50,000 homestead exemption by 72 cents.

The rate tentatively set for unincorporated areas is about $10.76 for every $1,000 of taxable value. Commissioners can lower the rate before September when they pass a final budget, but can’t raise it.

The parks dispute has represented one of the thornier decisions on their plate as they wrestle with a $3 billion budget.

For now, the commission vote means that after-school programs operating at 42 county parks will be consolidated at 11 regional recreation centers. The vote was 4-3, with Commissioners Ken Hagan, Les Miller and Victor Crist opposed.

Prevailing commissioners said the county can no longer afford the $7.5 million service that has seen its enrollment dwindle since fees were introduced in an attempt to recoup costs.

Hagan said he agreed. He nevertheless is floating a proposal to keep the programs operating at 30 parks. He also wants to see an analysis of whether fees could be lowered to draw more kids and bring in more paying customers.

“It would be fiscally irresponsible to ignore the reality,” Hagan said. “I think we can do better.”

Under the plan approved Wednesday, children who don’t live near one of the regional parks would be encouraged to use the HOST program, an after-school program offered at more than 130 elementary and middle schools. It costs the same as the county service, $48 per week for each child with discounts available to low-income families.

The county used to offer its after-school programs for free. When property tax revenue began declining in recent years, county officials targeted the programs for elimination as a luxury they could no longer justify.

Parents rallied on their behalf, agreeing to fees that were implemented and then increased. Enrollment declined from a high of 6,200 in 2007 to 1,800 currently, with average weekly fees collected per child at $23 after low-income discounts.

At a public hearing last week, the after-school program was the prevailing topic. Among other things, speakers argued that the county service, with multiple structured offerings from athletics to crafts and tutoring, is far superior to the school district’s HOST program.

Gwen Luney, an assistant superintendent for Hillsborough County schools who oversees the program, noted it has 8,000 children enrolled. She said supervised outdoor activities are offered as well as homework assistance and access to school media centers.

“We try to make sure we work with every parent … to give (them) a safe, wholesome opportunity for their children,” Luney said.

Bill Varian can be reached at (813) 226-3387 or varian@sptimes.com.

On Renee Lee Leaving the County

Commissioner Murman quoted in this FOX 13 News report:

Former county attorney files for unemployment

Updated: Friday, 22 Jul 2011, 10:18 PM EDT
Published : Friday, 22 Jul 2011, 10:17 PM EDT

By Kristin Wright, FOX 13 News

TAMPA – Renee Lee’s contract as Hillsborough County Attorney was terminated in June. Lee walked away with a huge severance package adding up to $156,000.

Despite the big payout, Renee Lee has filed for unemployment benefits. County Human Resources Officials say they received notice from the state. Commissioner Sandy Murman questions Lee’s decision.

“My first reaction is, ‘gimme a break’,” Murman said.

We visited Lee’s beautiful home in Riverview twice, hoping to speak with her about her need for unemployment benefits, in light of her generous severance deal. The first time, no one came to the door. The next day, a woman said Lee wasn’t home. County residents and the unemployed are somewhat taken aback.

“I believe it’s a little bit irresponsible because $160,000 should go a long way. You should be able to divvy up your money and live off of that for several years,” said Mark Pastrana of Tampa.

“Many people out here are trying to get unemployment and can’t get unemployment, but she’s trying to get it?” Linda Limehouse told FOX 13. “She don’t need it, if she’s getting all that.”

Elvis Negron has no problem with Lee filing for unemployment.

“I think it’s the right thing to do. For everybody,” he said. “Every citizen should have that right.”

Negron is right: legally, Lee can file for unemployment compensation just like anyone else. In general, severance pay doesn’t affect eligibility or the total amount of benefits received.

Starting in August, if a severance payment during a particular week is equal to or greater than the unemployment benefit for that same week, the claimant is ineligible for unemployment that week.

Severance pay will still not affect the total amount of unemployment benefits received.

“We’re all on tough times right now, so when you’re asking for more government dollars it’s difficult to understand when somebody’s already gotten a very fair package,” Murman said.

Claimants can received up to $275 a week. There’s no word on whether Lee’s application has been approved.

 

Sparing After-School Program Cuts

Commissioner Murman’s jail diversion program mentioned in this Times article on the budget:

Parents implore Hillsborough County to spare after-school programs from cuts

By Bill Varian, Times Staff Writer
Posted: Jul 21, 2011 09:55 PM

TAMPA — Flanked by her three children, ages 6 to 16, Kim Herman had a straight-forward message for Hillsborough County commissioners Thursday night:

“Leave the kids alone.”

Herman and dozens of others appealed to commissioners, as parents have for the past four years, to spare county-sponsored after-school and summer parks programs.

She was joined by dozens of county employees, many of them parks workers facing a fourth year of layoffs, imploring commissioners to spare their jobs. With the economy still ailing, they asked commissioners to stop farming out county work to the private sector.

“We do a better job, said Tracy Thompson, a 15-year employee of the county’s water department. “We do it for less money.”

The at-times-emotional testimony capped a day of debate and sometime rancor as commissioners wrestled with budgetary matters throughout the day. Parks and recreation programs dominated discussions during an afternoon workshop as well as the evening public hearing.

Commissioners signaled during the daytime session that they want to make preserving the after-school parks programs in some fashion a priority. They asked their staff to come back next week with a proposal that would stem proposed cutbacks.

The county is finalizing a $3 billion spending plan for fiscal year 2012, which begins Oct. 1. What they are wrestling with is how to deal with a fourth consecutive year of declining property tax revenues that pay the operating costs of most of the county’s publicly visible programs.

Five years ago, the county collected $813 million in property taxes. Estimated property tax receipts for next year are just $561..5 million, down $22 million from last year.

So County Administrator Mike Merrill is recommending another round of job cuts, eliminating another 449 full- and part-time positions next year. One of the hardest hit areas is parks and recreation programs.

Once again, county officials are proposing dramatic cuts to after-school programs. In recent years, parents rallied to thwart proposed elimination of the program. This year, Parks, Recreation and Conservation Director Mark Thornton is recommending scaling back the program.

It would consolidate after-school programs at 41 parks to 12 regional parks, some of them needing to be built, and scaling back recreational offerings. Parents who can’t get to those parks would need to use programs based at schools or at the YMCA.

Thornton says the challenge is this: The cost to run the program comes out to more than $120 a child each week, while the county collects $23 on average per week.

The county initially offered the program for free. When property tax revenues started declining, commissioners approved a nominal fee. When that didn’t keep up, the fee was bumped up to $48 a week, with children from poorer families subsidized.

Enrollment for the program dropped from a high of 6,200 in 2007, with about 4,500 active participants and a waiting list. Today, about 1,800 children use after-school programs, while costs remain the same.

Commissioner Ken Hagan on Thursday asked Thornton and his staff to move forward with shrinking the number of after-school locations. But he suggested increasing the number of locations currently proposed – 12 – by another 10 to 15.

“The unfortunate reality is that our current program simply is not sustainable in the long-run,” Hagan said, explaining his support for shrinking the program somewhat.

Commissioner Les Miller said he will ask next week that the program be restored fully.

“I think your plan … reduces the issue to money,” Miller told Thornton. “I think that’s wrong.”

He said it’s about children having a place to go after school, and parks are what the public expects government to provide along with police and fire protection.

In other action, Merrill told commissioners how he plans to dole out $2 million the county will get for being home to a gambling casino, the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. The money will be shared between the Museum of Science and Industry, Lowry Park Zoo, Tampa Bay History Center, the Glazer Children’s Museum, the David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts and the Florida Aquarium.

Merrill said it’s important to continue to invest in buildings taxpayers helped pay to build and that attract tourists. But his proposal enables the county to wean those entertainment and cultural centers off of property tax money.

Commissioner Sandy Murman said she will also ask the board to support earmarking $1.5 million annually from the county’s indigent health care tax to pay for mental health care for some accused of crimes. She is proposing creating a diversion program that would identify people with mental illness who commit minor crimes, keeping them out of jail and getting them treatment.

Those who showed up for the evening hearing had mainly parks after-school programs on their mind. Children waved signs that read “I (heart) parks” and “parks rock.”

They echoed Miller’s sentiment that commissioners need to focus less on dollars and more on figuring out a way to preserve programs that keep children active and out of harm’s way.

In the past, county officials have described the after-school program as a Cadillac offering from a government that can no longer afford it.

Parent Robert Herman, whose three children attend programs at Sadie Park in Brandon, asked commissioners to consider a more modest model.

Jacob Robinson, 19, an alumni of after-school programs at the Ruskin Recreation Center, saw it differently.

“These children deserve a Cadillac program,” he said. “Our children are more than a budget.”

 

 

Commissioner Murman Presents a Commendation to the Town ‘n Country Youth Council

http://youtu.be/w8WTCWyq6ko

 

Ruskin Cultural Center Update

Commissioner Murman mentioned in this Observer article on Ruskin cultural center plans:

Planned cultural center may get boost of county money

20/07/2011

Melody Jameson Photo Local visions of a community cultural center here solidified further this week with the possibility of $100,000 on the horizon.

By MELODY JAMESON

http://www.observernews.net/thisweek/front_page/3630-Planned_cultural_center_may_get_boost_of_county_money.html

RUSKIN – Local visions of a community cultural center here solidified further this week with the possibility of $100,000 on the horizon.

The potential funds in Hillsborough County’s 2012 fiscal year budget to help initiate such a center in the community’s recently-vacated county fire station were flagged by Commissioner Sandy Murman during a board meeting last week. Ruskin is at the southern end of Murman’s long, narrow Commission District I that borders Tampa Bay.

 

The funding was erroneously reported elsewhere as tagged for Ruskin’s long-closed and badly-deteriorated theater building in the center of the downtown business district which is privately owned and which is on a lot inadequate for public vehicle parking.

Commissioners, under fire from citizens over quiet multi-million dollar contribution to construction of The Regent, a grand but not very publicly useful edifice in the Brandon area, earmarked $2 million for renovations of historic buildings in Ybor City during related discussions.

At the same time, the board instructed staff to outline a countywide program funded initially with $500,000 for which organizations could apply to renovate other historic sites in the county. Criteria related to applications for the monies are expected for board consideration late in September.

The firehouse cultural center money, however, is not part of the $2.5 million in renovation funding, Tom Fesler, interim county budget director, emphasized this week.

Rather, he added, the funds are a not-yet-approved item sponsored by Murman which will be subjected to an up or down vote during the commissioners budget meeting Wednesday, July 27, along with all such recommendations made by each of the seven commissioners. That session is scheduled for 9 AM in County Center.

Those commissioner suggestions that are approved and added to the 2012 budget now taking shape also will be subject to public acceptance during the final budget public hearing on September 22, Fesler noted.

Meanwhile, the local group which has been engaged for months in hashing out plans for converting the former fire station at First Avenue and First Street to a cultural activities headquarters, provided a business plan draft to Murman this week, according to Bruce Marsh. Marsh, an artist, former professor on the University of South Florida faculty, strong proponent of Ruskin’s annual Big Draw events and member of the center planning group, described the business design for the cultural center as “a work in progress.”

A $60,000 grant for the center has been pledged by the Community Foundation of Sun City Center and if the $100,000 requested by Murman is included in the next county budget, Marsh said he anticipated the funds would be used first for the substantial interior re-design necessary for functional conversion of the former fire station.

Fesler said that if the cultural center funding is included in the next budget, it probably would be dispersed based on provisions in the final accepted business plan.

The fire station building was vacated several weeks ago when county fire fighters and emergency response personnel moved into the new, larger and more serviceable Station 17 on West College Avenue at 4th Street..

Implementation of plans for use of the old station as a community cultural center would involve turning over control, management and maintenance of the county-owned old fire house property to a community-based entity such as the Ruskin Community Development Foundation. A similar arrangement already exists locally. The foundation currently operates the Camp Bayou outdoor learning center under a recently-renewed, five-year lease agreement with Hillsborough County.

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Port Licenses New Operator!

Tampa Port approves new stevedore, MTO company

Tampa Bay Business Journal – by Mark Holan, Staff Writer

Date: Tuesday, July 19, 2011, 4:27pm EDT

The Tampa Port Authority Tampa Port Authority Latest from The Business Journals Port director Wainio’s contract renewal gets attentionMore praise for port’s Channelside garageBoston wary of former Grand Avenue owner Follow this company board approved new stevedore and marine terminal operator licenses Tuesday over the objection of unionized longshoremen.

Lawrence R. Shipp, the board’s chairman, voted against granting licenses to Tampa Marine Terminals, citing unresolved questions about whether the new company has already done dock work without a license.

Port staff is still investigating those questions. TMT attorney Anthony Cuva dismissed the allegation as “a side issue” the company has been working with port staff to clarify.

Gulf Coast Bulk Equipment of Palmetto and Hendry Corp. Hendry Corp. Latest from The Business Journals DeAngelis Diamond Healthcare Group opens new office in BirminghamCommercial Real Estate BriefsRailroad’s project spurs new development along I-35 South Follow this company of Tampa created TMT last year.

Port staff recommended granting TMT a stevedore and MTO license for handling bulk cargo. But at the company’s request the board majority granted both licenses for handling breakbulk cargo as well.

Robert Doster of International Longshoremen’s Association Local 1402 and a few dozen other workers objected to the licenses for non-union workers. “Cheap labor is not skilled labor, and skilled labor is not cheap,” Doster said.

TMT principal Richard Tager, in a letter to port officials, wrote, “many established stevedores in the Port of Tampa Port of Tampa Latest from The Business Journals Tampa’s international trade scene is expansiveTampa Port readies for Panama Canal expansionMaritime Industries group questions Wainio’s contract Follow this company and the Gulf Coast region do not use union labor and instead use experienced contract labor.”

Niko Tomc, president of Jupiter, Fla.-based Poseidon Agencies Inc., and Bruce Schuck, president of Tampa-based Tred Avon Corp., submitted letters of support for TMT.

The port currently has about 15 stevedore and 10 MTO companies.

Commissioners who voted for the TMT licenses — including Hillsborough County Commissioner Sandra Murman — said free market competition is good for the port. Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn was absent Tuesday.

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