Westchase Input Sought on County Budget Amendments

Now that the final numbers are in from 2011, the Hillsborough County Commission wants to revise its budget for the current fiscal year. Before it does so, however, the board wants to hear from Westchase residents about the proposed changes.

The board will host a public meeting Feb. 8 at the County Center to discuss amendments to the Fiscal Year 2012 budget that reflect 2011 year-end balances.

According to Tom Fesler, of the county’s Business and Support Services Department, the adjustments are routinely made at the start of the year to reflect final numbers from the previous year in funds set aside for ongoing, multiyear projects. It's basically a housecleaning project, he said.

The amendments represent about $5.9 million and include such funds as the Transportation Trust Fund, the Environmental Sensitive Lands Tax/Bond Fund and the Countywide Special Purpose Revenue Fund.

Wednesday’s public hearing takes place at 2 p.m. in the second floor boardroom at County Center, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd. in Tampa.