The Port Orange City Council reluctantly moved forward Sept. 9 with a proposed budget for fiscal year 2016 that includes a 3 percent property tax increase from the rolled back rate. During the public hearing, council members expressed both praise and...
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The Port Orange City Council reluctantly moved forward Sept. 9 with a proposed budget for fiscal year 2016 that includes a 3 percent property tax increase from the rolled back rate. During the public hearing, council members expressed both praise and criticism for the budget, which, per the council’s instructions, does not add any new city programs or services. It does, however, add eight new staff positions, new police department body cameras, increased contracts for mowing and additional landscape maintenance expenses to fulfill the council’s goal of significantly improving current services. “What this budget has done responsibly is captured the essence of what this council has really been looking for,” Councilman Donald Burnett said. Mr. Burnette commended former Interim City Manager David Harden, now acting as an advisor to incoming City Manager Michael “Jake” Johansson, for working with new Finance Director Tracey Riehm to “build the Finance Department from the ground up” while cr
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