The Punta Gorda City Budget Process for 2015 will start soon.  It's crucial for us the citizens of Punta Gorda to pay attention to the assumptions, plans, and discussions that ultimately result in what we will end up paying for in  taxes. The Long Range Financial Plan which will drive the Budget for 2015 is now available on the City's website.  It is now the time to start taking a look at the assumptions and alteratives that will be the basis of the first major discussion concerning  the budget that will take place at the February 5the Punta Gorda City Council Meeting.  The Plan can be viewed at  http://www.ci.punta-gorda.fl.us/userdata/longrange14.pdf

Important Public Hearing Wednesday on Punta Gorda City Budget and Millage Rates

There will be a public hearing this coming Wednesday at 5 p.m. in City Council Chambers on adoption of the tenative millage rate and budget for the City of Punta gorda for the 2013 Fiscal Year.

The City's Budget represents a 2% increase in the General Fund attributed by the City Manager Howard Kunik to a continued decline in property values and the inability to continue to use reserves to fill in the gap. The millage increase is an approximately 18% increase over the the 2012 rate.

These are not insignificant increases at a time when our population is straped and when our City needs to continue to attract new residents and homeowers  Concerned Punta Gorda citizens should be paying attention and speaking out and not just rubber stamping a change without question or debate.