After a brief Truth in Taxation meeting without public comment Monday, the Clearwater City Council approved the 2020 final tax levy in the amount of $1,162,504.

That represents an 8.48% increase over the 2019 levy of $1,071,664 and is the same figure approved for the preliminary levy set in September. 

The general fund levy decreased from $640,718 to $513,388, partially from a reduction of almost $30,000 in city planner fees and  $7,500 from terminating the financial consulting contract with AEM in the spring. The city administrator’s pay was also reallocated to 50% from the general fund, 10% from the fire fund and 20% each from the water and sewer funds to help alleviate the impact on the levy. 

There were a few big line-item increases that caused the levy hike. The council intends to re-start the Economic Development Authority (EDA) next year and approved  a levy increase from $12,904 to $83,759, which includes money for new city signage, website development and wages for commission members. 

The new finance director position was added to the budget, increasing payroll expenditures by $54,113.56. The parks fund added funding for trees in the amount of $19,500. The fire department training budget increased by $4,000 to match grants received to help mitigate costs. Election expenditures were increased to total $6,500 for the 2020 presidential and local elections. 

The largest impact comes from adding $56,827 in debt service from the GO Bond for the South East Area Street Project. 

The tax impact on a median homestead home ($177,011) is a $97 a year increase. A home valued at 78,100 will pay an additional $30. A commercial property valued at $500,000 will pay an additional $557 in taxes in 2020.