The County Record, SEPTEMBER 20, 2006, Page 10 NOTICE OF PROPOSED TAX INCREASE The City of Blountstown has tentatively adopted a measure to increase its property tax levy. It was standing room only at the Calhoun County School Board meeting last Tuesday night when the consolidation of Blountstown and Altha high schools was discussed,. Consolidation Doyle Daniels, the School Board member in District 5, is also leaving his post and will be replaced by Danny Hassig in November. He dis- agreed with Barfield's stand. "I'm not one to pass the buck," he remarked. 'This board has done the home- work and I personally feel we need to vote on it." District 1 School Board member Grant Williams also wants to take it to a vote. "For the past 15 months, we've discussed and discussed this issue...I don't see any need to wait any longer," Williams stated.. Tim Smith, who repre- sents District. 3, said he felt there. were .too many unan- swered questions to take it to a vote. "Is there proof we can offer more? What is the cost' of operating this new school? We'll levy taxes to build, but will we have to spend reserves? we'ree goin2 to start out broke." he said. "If it comes up for a vote -next month, I'll vote "no' because we don't have all the facts." Superintendent Neves said the school district "missed the boat" decades ago in their opportunity to build new community schools. She said sparcity funding would be lost,. but could be made up hnrougnh attrition. Neves emphasized. "Nothing comes free in life. The taxpayers. including me, have been venr fortunate to not have our taxes raised by much. We are probably the onl\ district in the state that doesn't raise our two mijls to take care of ourselves." Neves added that when the consultant met w\ith the board he noted, "You've got to help yourself...wie're not Willie Brown, School. Mary Sue. Neves, Board Chairman School Superintendent going to just hand you a $20, million check." , Barfield asked the incom- ing board members, King and Hassig, to state their opin- ions on the matter. Hassig noted that he'd heard no discussion about ,Jthe children in Kinard who, :travel from the south end of the county to attend school. "Nobody is better than any- body, but everybody is equal," he said. "I am for con- solidation because it gives every child a chance to suc- ceed. It's an emotional deci- sion, but I truly believe we serve our kids best by giving them opportunities." King said she believes there are many more issues to be addressed before a deci- sion can be reached. "I don't think an\' of us has enough information," she stated. 'This decision will impact our. children's lives for years to come and it shouldn't be rushed." In conclusion. Neves said, "Do we have every answer? No. Will we ever? Doubt it:. But we've got, to decide on direction. For me, I think our True Holiness Church needs help after roof lost True Holiness Church located at 15965 SE River Street. Blountstown. will be accepting donations for the recent loss of their roof of their church. You may send your dona- tions to True Holiness,. Church. Building Relief Fund. Superior Bank. P.O. Box 534. BIountstown.\ FL 32424. All donations will be great- ly appreciated. Simscase cont'd- Sims $50.000 as agreed upon in a mediation hearing. Sims, who resigned in January 2004, alleged she endured verbal attacks from former Altha Principal Harriet Peacock after she stood up for students she felt %were being excluded. 'Were pleased that we were able to resolve this mat- ter amicably and in. the best interests of everyone involved,' Neves tells The County Record. "The case was: resolved through the: Panhandle Area Educational, Consortium's risk manage- ment program. ,of which the District is a member,. The set- tlement brings the litigation to an end, which is a positive for everyone, as litigation is ex-pensive and time-consum- ing and can be a distraction from the business of educat- Aing children. whilich is" our main focus. The resolution does not include an admis- sion of liability by the District: Ms. Sims remains,. employed as an ESE teacher' in Jackson County and we wish her well." Altha news cont'd- success. Cats' Cuisine Cats' Cuisine will be serv- ing lunch to the public 'on Thursday, Sept. 28. There will be two seatings; one at 11:40 a.m. and the second at 12:30 p.m. Reservations must be made by Sept. 26. The menu includes Greek salad with. balsamic vinai- grette; parmesan toast; stuffed pork chops: cream cheese potatoes: sugar snap peas: and breath mint pie. , Call the school at 762- 3121 to reserve your seats. Calendar Thursday, Sept. 21-JV/V" Volleyball at BHS, 4/5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23- V Volleyball at Gulf Coast Tournament Monday- Friday 25- 29 - Book Fair 8 a.m. -3 p.m. Monday, Sept. 25- High School FCAT Retakes Tuesday, Sept. 26- Jr. High Volleyball Double Header at Bloun-itsto ln. 3:30: Jr. High Boys Basketball Vs. Poplar Springs. 5/6. p.m.; High School FCAT Retakes Wednesday, Sept. 27- High School FCAT Retakes DeadliTn efor Newsu&Ads Moda at 0 l.[ Ye 4 12I.]oon children deserve the best and only the very best facilities and education." Williams voted to take it to a vote at the Oct. 10 meeting; Smith and Barfield voted against it. Chairman Willie Brown broke the tie by voting ,in favor of it. The meeting is set for 5 p.m. in the base- ment of the courthouse. Neves stated that there would be a sign up sheet at the meeting for anyone wishing to address the board prior to the vote . Chairman Brown urged the audience and board members to collect their thoughts over the next month, be prepared to dis- cuss the matter. and ready for a vote. Last Year's property tax levy: A. Initially proposed tax levy B. Less tax reductions due to Value Adjustment Board and other assessment changes C. Actual property tax levy This year's proposed tax levy $ All concerned citizen invited to attend $ 76,370 $ (25) $ 76,345 $81,194 are a public hearing on the tax increase to be held on: Monday, September 25, 2006, 6:00 P.M. at 17262 NW Angle Street, Blountstown, Florida A FINAL DECISION on the proposed tax increase and the budget will be made at this hearing. BUDGET SUMMARY City of Blountstown Fiscal Year 2006-2007 THE PROPOSED OPERATING BUDGET EXPENDITURES OF THE CITY OF BLOUNTSTOWN ARE 8.33% MORE THAN LAST YEAR'S TOTAL OPERATING EXPENDITURES. REVENUE GENERAL ENTERPRISE FY 06-07 & OTHER FINANCING RESOURCES FUND PROJECTS FUNDS TOTAL BUDGET AD VALOREM TAX 1.5 MILS@ 95% $ 77,134 S $ $ 77,134 FUEL TAX. LOCAL OPTION. LOCAL SURTAX, COMM SERV $ 351,549 $ S 351,549 FRANCHISE TAXES $ $ $ S UTILITY TAXES $ 95,850 $ I $ 95.350 LICENSES & PERMITS $ 5,000 S $ S 5,000 STATE REVENUE SHARING $ 169.896 $ 169.896 MISCELLANEOUS REVENUES $ 214,000 S $ 184,808 $ 398.808 TRANSFERS IN S 655,620 S $ 175,946 $ 831.566 CHARGES FOR SERVICES S 28,323 5 $ 10,000 $ 38,323 UTILITY SALES & SERVICES $ S $ 5,877,233 $ 5,877,233 CDBG UPGRADES TO SEWER LINES $ $ 650,000 $ S 650,000 LEGISLATIVE APPROPRIATION GRANT SEWER UPGRADES $ 600,000 SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL SIDEWALK GRANT $ 131.000 DEPOT RESTORATION -DIVISION OF HISTORICAL RESOURCES $ 50,000 I CASH CARRY OVER $ 369,366 $ $. 715.000 $ 1.084,366 TOTAL REVENUE & OTHER FINANCING RESOURCES $ 1,966,238 $ 1,431,000 $ 6,962,987 $ 10,360,225 GENERAL ENTERPRISE FY 05-06 EXPENDITURES FUND PROJECTS FUNDS TOTAL BUDGET CITY COUNCIL $ 5 s $ 5 ATTORNEY S 24,000 S $ $ 24,000 AUDITING $ 5,400 $ $ 21,600 $ 27,000 ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT $ 224,946 $ $ 280,877 $ 505,823 BUILDING INSPECTOR CODE ENFORCEMENT $ 7,050 $ $ $ 7,050 POLICE DEPARTMENT $ 934,222 $ $ $ 934,222 FIRE DEPARTMENT S 103,726 $ $ $ 103,726 PUBLIC WORKS STREET DEPARTMENT $ 658,658 $ $ $ 658,658 SANITATION DEPARTMENT $ $ $ 269,545 $ 269,545 PARKS' $ 8,231 $ $ $ 8,231 PINE MEMORIAL CEMETERY $ $ $ 1,400 $ 1,400 ELECTRIC DEPARTMENT i$ $ I $ 2,937,369 $ 2,937,369 GAS DEPARTMENT $ $ $ 884,621 $ 884,621 WATER DEPARTMENT $ $ $ 301,969 $ 301,969 SEWER DEPARTMENT $ $ $ 595,745 $ 595,745 DEBT SERVICE $ .- $ '$ 120,295 $ 120,295 TRANSFERS OUT $ $ 831,566 $ 831,566 ALLOWANCE FOR WORKING CAPITAL $ $ $ 718,000 $ 718,000 CDBG UPGRADESTO SEWER LINES $ $ 650,000 $ $ 650,000 LEGISLATIVE APPROPRIATION GRANT SEWER UPGRADES $ 600,000 SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL SIDEWALK GRANT $ $ 131,000 $ $ 131,000 DEPOT RESTORATION -DIVISION OF HISTORICAL RESOURCES $ $ 50,000 $ $ 50,000 TOTAL EXPENDITURES $ 1,966,238 $ 1,431,000 $ 6,962,987 $ 10,360,225 $- RESERVES $ $ $ $ TOTAL EXPENDITURES & RESERVES $ 1,966,238 $ 1,431,000 $ 6,962,987 $ 10,360,225 The tentative, adopted, and/or final budgets are on file in the above-mentioned taxing authority as a public record.