County Administrator Mike Merrill delivered a balanced budget proposal last week that included outsourcing after-school programs, laying off government employees and cutting overall spending. During a preliminary budget workshop Wednesday, commissioners were able to voice their fiscal priorities.
Facing a fifth year of declining revenue, county officials cited property tax shortfall as a prime reason the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners must restructure the budget and its own administrative department. Five years ago, the county brought in $813 million in property taxes. Officials expect to collect $561 million next year, a $22 million drop from last year.