25 Rec Center Losses Near $450,000

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September 29, 2016 YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER 75¢ Rec Center losses near $450,000 Mayor Pro Tem votes against 2017 FY budget due to rec center losses

said. “Are y’all paying people more in in the city limits.” BY KRISTIN N. COMPTON Gulf Breeze News© 2016 pensions, salaries?” Henderson added, “Staff swore up and [email protected] Councilwoman Renee Bookout pointed down that costs would not increase… We out that a big portion of the increase is due are basically subsidizing recreation for Mayor Pro Tem Joe Henderson opposed to health care. nonresidents.” the budget for the 2017 fi scal year (FY) in But Henderson said, “Councilman Berry addressed the council early on the last two city council votes due to the (David) Landfair is constantly telling me in the meeting stating, “I’m going to get losses incurred by the Gulf Breeze Com about how he doesn’t like the technology all my frustrations out tonight.” He said, munity Center. Henderson said it is diffi - fee because it’s not fair to the people who “You’ve got a 12.8 percent increase. And cult for him to justify to residents a 12.8 are on a fi xed budget. How is it fair to the when you get down here to the Santa Rosa percent increase in the budget for the new people who are on a fi xed budget to spend thing, he wants to use the CPI index... It year when the recreation facility is taking $70,000 plus to take care of children who seems awful high.” Berry continued, “I’m a loss of $400,000. don’t live in the city limits?” He added, an old man, I hate coming down here, but “I’m not trying to be antikids,” Hen “That’s not even saying about the tennis some of the things I’ve seen out of the derson said. “I’m trying to be pro tax that I asked that we charge for, or the other city council in the last three, four years; payer.” people who are using the community cen maybe they need to pay y’all a salary and At last week’s city council meeting, ter. We are losing; I don’t want to make y’all might make some better decisions.” File photo resident of 28 years, Noah Berry, spoke to money on the community center, but it’s He concluded, “It just seems awful high to Mayor Pro Tem Joe Henderson says the city is losing money by the council regarding the increases. “Why just a shame to lose $400,000 on people subsidizing recreation programs for non-residents. is that (the 12.8 percent increase)?” Berry who are using it, most of them not living See Citizen Page 2A » Publix at Tiger Point in ‘limbo’

Publix Corporate Media and said, “No projected timeline is es Community Relations Manager tablished at the moment.” Dwaine Stevens conﬁ rmed that Future city councilmember, the “largest and fastestgrowing Tom Naile, commented regard employeeowned supermarket,” ing the postponement of the con whose motto is “Where Shopping struction stating, “The only thing is a Pleasure,” remains committed I’ve heard is that there may be a to the Tiger Point location previ ‘wetlands’ issue that requires extra ously intheworks. permitting.” Stevens said, “(We) look for City consultant, Vernon Prather, ward to serving our customers in and South Santa Rosa Utility Ser Stan Colie Nichols (Santa Rosa Tax Collector); Tim Wyrosdick File photo (Santa Rosa School Superintendent); Jennifer Granse (Santa the near future.” However, a deﬁ - vice (SSRUS) Assistant Director, The