Small Town News

City vows to hold the line on taxes

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The city of DeFuniak Springs chose its top three objectives for the upcoming year in a strategic objectives workshop June 21. "The priority tonight is to look ahead, " City Manager Kim Kirby said.

In a brainstorming session the Council stated priorities for the next year, ranging from new signage to additional staffing. Ranking its top three objectives, the Council chose staffing as its highest priority, followed by new signs for business parks and the downtown area, and holding the line on taxes and fees.

Councilman Don Harrison said, "I think we ought to bite the bullet and say we're not going to increase taxes or fees." Councilman James Huffman agreed, saying the city needed to be as "business friendly" as possible.

Mayor Harold Carpenter emphasized the need for more staff. "It's become a serious problem" he said. "We've got to have staff to take care of the cemetery and landscaped areas, and do regular maintenance."

Carpenter asked Assistant City Manager Bill Holloway to have "each department give a total number of employees it needs to take care of our city."

Kirby submitted a 25-page memorandum listing the city's accomplishments over the past five years, including employee training, publishing the DeFuniak Springs Police Department's (DFSPD) first policies and procedures manual, purchasing all new DFSPD patrol vehicles, establishing a community garden, establishing a fallen soldiers memorial, and hundreds of other community improvement projects.

"This is quite impressive. Congratulations to all the departments for an outstanding job, " Carpenter offered.

"It's phenomenal what we've done, especially with such a small. staff, " Kirby said.

Kirby will move forward with the Council's top three objectives in planning the budget for the upcoming fiscal year.



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© 2011 The DeFuniak Springs Herald DeFuniak Springs, Florida. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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