News Cast for August 22nd:
City debates budget spending
The Okeechobee City council continues to crunch the numbers at budget workshops this summer.
Key issues this year include street paving, and how to handle EMS assessments.
Vice Mayor Monica Clark has issues with the level of spending saying the budget is out of line for the tough economic times.
She said tax hikes are especially hard on small businesses.
She said the city is in the best situation they have ever been in.
“The city looks great, we have done a lot of great things. I think we have some fat in our budget. I think we can wait a year or two to do some of these things. We have just given huge pay increases to all the city employees.”
The city administrator Gary Ritter took issue with some comments on some new equipment damaging sidewalks.
Councilmember Bob Jarriel contends the city chewed up some sidewalks by not knowing how to use the equipment.
“How far can you go tearing up sidewalks. I had a lady who lives on the street who called me saying you better get done there and stop them, they are destroying all the sidewalks.
Ritter said it was probably less than a quarter mile of sidewalks that were cracked and not every single one of them.
Ritter says the equipment has saved the city money. He says the worker didn’t do the damage intentionally.
“That piece of equipment has saved us a tremendous amount of money throughout the entire town. That is not the only ditch that thing works on.”
Jobless rates increased in Okeechobee County from 3.7 to 4.2 percent between June and July.
Last July our jobless rate was 3.5 percent.
Labor economist Jimmy Heckman said while most job sectors gained jobs last month, some are not doing as well.
He noted education dropped 4,300 jobs, the largest by any sector. Financial activity lost 1,300 jobs.
Around the area Highlands County had 5.6 percent, Glades 5.1 percent, Osceola 4.2 percent, Martin 3.7 percent and St. Lucie 4.4 percent.
The labor force in Okeechobee was 18,092 workers in July compared to 16,310 in June.
752 residents collected benefits in July and 677 in June.
Fort Pierce cops want a pay raise. The officers claim they have been paid less than other agencies for years.
The city offered an 8 percent raise while the police union asked for 15 percent.
Katalina Escobar told city leaders there is also not enough money for equipment and training.
Others said cops leave the city for better pay. They note they loose trained and experienced officers on a regular basis due to salary levels.
Kenansville is getting some playground improvements.
The Osceola County Commission approved a contract for over $300,000 to replace the old playground equipment and expand Kenansville Community Park.
They will also add some shade shelters.