Long-term fiscal sustainability and affordability go hand in hand, which is why I ran for
County Commission. I recognized the budget trajectory of the county was going in
unsustainable territory with residents expressing frustration over high taxes and living
costs. I am committed to addressing these concerns.
With day-to-day expense becoming less affordable, skyrocketing insurance rates, and
catastrophic storm damage – the call for property tax relief and transparency in
government spending has never been louder.
You have been heard loud and clear, and I stand with you.
Reducing property taxes provides relief for families struggling with ever-increasing
expenses of everyday life such as going to the grocery store, the gas station, or paying their
rent or mortgage. As elected officials, we need to embrace every opportunity to pull the
throttle back on taxes because it has a compounding effect year after year, much like
interest in your bank account.
That’s why I am so proud of the accomplishments we have made, most notably:
- Reduction in the county’s general fund millage rate for the 2nd year in a row, which is
4 out of the last 5 fiscal years. - Reduction in Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority’s millage rate 2 years in a row, a
first in recent PSTA history. - Reduction in Forward Pinellas’ millage rate 2 years in a row.
Combined, these tax rate reductions equate to over $100 million in taxes that remain in
resident’s pockets, rather than going to government. This equals freedom for residents to
make choices that benefit them and keep those dollars circulating in our local economy.
That is what I call “power to the people”.
We accomplished this by…….
Removing DEI and new green deal spending from budgets.
Focusing PSTA on “core” routes that offers higher service levels and ultimately increase
ridership and fare revenue.
Eliminated duplicative government services that overlap federal, state and civil legal
options.
Reducing reserves to levels that reflect actuarial risk rather than a “belt and suspenders”
approached where “more is better”.
Eliminated spending with questionable or little return on investment resulting in the right
size of departments.
Providing tax relief to low-income seniors by increasing their homestead exemption.
Exploring creative uses for tourism tax dollars, in ways that can offset property taxes, such
as improvements to county parks with beach access that support tourism and benefit
residents alike.
Streamlining operations with the use of AI, and the use of contract services to outsource
functions that can be delivered more efficiently and at lower cost through the private
sector.
Making affordability, livability, and the efficient delivery of services the cornerstone of our
county’s strategic plan that prioritizes the optimization of technology, and partnerships to
lower costs.
All of this sets a tone for future expectations of government accountability and fiscal
sustainability.
Our current affordability crisis did not happen overnight, and we will not fix it overnight,
however these positive changes are stepping in the right direction with more to come.
Stay tuned!