First budget hearing set for Thursday

QUOTE "Last year the city council had planned to reduce the millage rate, but Hurricane Irma & its aftermath scuttled that idea as the city had to use emergency & unassigned reserves of $17.6 million to pay the costs. With the city still waiting for reimbursement from FEMA for damages incurred by the city, Szerlag said he wasn't going to count on those monies coming in + isn't going to budget it in until it is in his hands. -- What about all the monies that the residents occurred after the mandatory evacuation? They will NEVER receive reimbursement for the thousands it cost them. They are still trying to play catchup & yet this city government is looking to tax them everywhere they can. Currently, a lot of them in the hospitality businesses have seen their wages drop drastically, many having their shifts reduced to half of what they were used to, with NO-END in sight. Many residents desperately need a break.

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