Town of North Redington Beach News
August 15, 2010
Transit Authority To Raise Fares, Drop Service
The Pinellas Transit Authority, faced with the same budget shortfalls as other local governments, will be raising some fares and dropping the services between the Seminole Mall and the Park Blvd Boat Ramp in Indian Shores. Bob Lasher, communications manager, announced the changes at the August meeting of the town commission. Only five of 16 fare categories will be affected. The full cash fare will go from $1.75 to $2.00, reduced cash fare from 85 cents to a dollar, daily unlimited GO card from $4 to $4.50, daily reduced unlimited GO card from $2 to $2.25 and 31 day unlimited GO card from $55 to $65.
Many specialty fares will be unchanged. Lasher said a comprehensive communications campaign will be in place to inform bus riders before the changes take effect.
This will include notices at the Seminole Mall regarding the discontinued service to the beaches on the Redington #58 line. Lasher said transit officials hope that with the advent of rapid transit and other new services, ridership potential will increase to the point where this service can be restored and even enhanced. For the moment, however, low ridership leaves no alternative. Daily use is roughly a third of the average on other lines.
In answer to a question, Lasher said only 21 per cent of the transit authority’s operating expense comes from the fare box. This is close to the average for all transit companies.
Budget Hearings Begin September 9
The first public hearing on the town’s 2010-2011 fiscal year budget will be held at the regular commission meeting scheduled for September 9 at Town Hall. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. A second hearing will take place at a special meeting of the commission on September 16. Passage is expected after the second hearing.
Commissioners agreed on a budget figure at a workshop in July. They also agreed to keep the town’s millage rate at its current level and to use reserve funds, if needed, to maintain town services.
North Redington Beach has the lowest millage rate of any community with a staffed town hall in the county.
The budget is available for public review at Town Hall.
Oil Watch
The most recent and final update on the Gulf oil spill from county authorities states "the future threat of Deepwater Horizon oil reaching Tampa Bay is essentially zero. This is due to factors such as the oil being over 300 miles away, the prevailing winds and currents, and the decreasing amount of oil in the Gulf."
Every effort is being made to get this news out to potential tourists, who mistakenly thought all Florida beaches were affected by the spill.
Frank Novak Honored
Frank Novak of Bath Club Blvd North received an engraved plaque at the August meeting of the Town Commission, commemorating his 10 years of service on the Planning & Zoning Board.
Mayor Bill Queen made the presentation before an audience that included Frank's wife.
In accepting the reward, Mr. Novak said he was honored to be able to serve, and he encouraged others to volunteer for community service. In addition to his board duties, Frank is a regular attendee at commission meetings, and often has remarks for the public input session that precedes consideration of the night’s agenda.
Commission Action
The town commission has renewed licenses for the two concessions that serve the North Redington beach. These include Beach Services West, which provides chairs and umbrellas at various beach locations, and Wind Surfin International, which has water sports equipment near the Doubletree Inn.
Both concessionaires have been providing these services for many years.
Check Your Mailbox For The Latest Message From Mayor Bill Queen
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This website is intended to benefit our citizens by providing timely communications of news and city business; additionally, it is a resource for all visitors. Please contact any North Redington Beach city official or Town Hall should you have any input or suggestions for the site. Bill Queen, Mayor **Florida has a very broad public records laws. Most written communications to or from local officials regarding city business are public records and are available to the public and media upon request. Your e-mail communications may, therefore, be subject to public disclosure. ** Under Florida law, email addresses are public records. If you do not want your email address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing. Florida Statute 668.606 |
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