Public has opportunity for input on city budget

As the City of St. Augustine continues the process of finalizing and adopting its budget for the coming fiscal year Historic City Media is reminding its readers that every opportunity is being made to inform and invite the public into this important annual activity.

The city’s 2008-2009 budget, which goes into effect on October 1, includes seven separate funds: the General Fund, the Utility Fund, the Stormwater Fund, the Solid Waste Fund, the Municipal Marina Fund, the Heritage Tourism Fund, and the Community Redevelopment Agency Fund.

The General Fund and the Community Redevelopment Agency Fund are supported by ad valorem taxes. The others are enterprise funds, meaning they are funded through service fees and must be financially self-supporting.

A summary of the entire budget is available on-line at www.staugustinegovernment.com.

On August 19 the City Commission participated in a budget workshop during which staff presented a comprehensive review of the proposed budget. That workshop will be broadcast on St. Johns County Government TV, Comcast Channel 3, on Wednesday, September 3 at 9:00am.

The public will have two opportunities to offer its input on the budget at two public hearing to be held on Thursday, September 4 and Thursday, September 18. Both hearings will be held in The Alcazar Room at City Hall, 75 King Street, starting at 5:05pm.

For more information on the 2008-2009 budget and the process for its approval, contact the City’s Department of Finance, Budget and Management at 904.825.1030.