SEBRING — The city of Sebring will have to make do with $1.7 million less in revenues, but the city nevertheless has budgeted donations to the Children's Museum, Safe House, the Historical Preservation Commission, the Boys and Girls Clubs and the July 4 fireworks celebration. But about those fireworks. City Councilor Margie Rhoades isn't pleased that the Sebring Community Redevelopment Agency has donated $5,000, and she wants the council to withdraw its planned $5,000 gift. "Instead of spending $10,000 on fireworks, I think we should spend more on the Children's Museum and the Boys and Girls Club," said Rhoades, in a budget hearing Wednesday. Another hearing is scheduled June 17. The city is planning to contribute $10,000 to the Children's Museum and $50,000 to the Boys and Girls Club. ...more

June 13, 2008

SEBRING — The Sebring Community Redevelopment Agency is proceeding with plans to beautify Circle Park. On Monday, commissioners met with Roger Statzer of Keith and Schnars engineering of Lakeland, and Marshall Whidden of Whidden Design Studio in Lake Wales. Without a vote, the commissioners agreed to see more advanced plans. Whidden would plant cathedral oaks, cabbage palms, shrubbery, metal picnic tables and benches, and place spotlights among the trees. ...more

June 10, 2008

SEBRING — City councilors decided 5-0 to proceed with funding the fire department with an assessment on real property. A motion was passed Tuesday which instructs Government Services Group of Tallahassee to draft an ordinance. A schedule shows the new proposal will be presented to the council on July 1. After two public hearings, the council can adopt it on second reading on Aug. 19, and the tax collector can be notified on Sept. 15. "I think we need to go ahead and do it," said Councilor Margie Rhoades. But, she added, people want fairness, so she would not consider a fire assessment without a reduction in millage. That means some of the poorest citizens, who will pay the fire assessment could pay more in overall taxes. ...more

June 4, 2008

The city will not consolidate its emergency dispatch operations with those of Hillsborough County. ...more

May 24, 2008

PLANT CITY Plant City Stadium will be quiet this Independence Day. The community's annual Fourth of July celebration at the stadium has been canceled as a slow economy takes its toll on the businesses and civic groups that pay for the annual display. ...more

May 22, 2008

TEMPLE TERRACE - The city will not consolidate its emergency dispatch operations with those of Hillsborough County. It was an option Temple Terrace Police Chief Tony Velong brought up during a budget workshop as a means to trim the city's costs. He said the action would save the city $1 million a year. The city is facing a potential revenue loss of $1.4 million because of state-mandated rollbacks in property taxes. ...more

May 20, 2008