Frequently Asked Questions
Below you will find information that might help you understand how to find things or learn about information you might need to know about your city or town.
Finance Department
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The budget is an annual financial plan for the Town of Indian Shores. It specifies the level of municipal services to be provided in the coming year and the resources, including personnel positions, capital expenditures and operating expenses, needed to provide those services. It reflects the policies and priorities set by the Town Council.Finance Department
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A fiscal year is a 12-month operating cycle that comprises a budget and financial reporting period. The Town's fiscal year, along with other local governments and special districts within the State of Florida, begins on October 1 and ends on September 30.Finance Department
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From Town levied taxes, state and federal shared revenues and fees for municipal services, such as law enforcement services and recreation.Finance Department
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Revenue is used to pay for salaries, operating supplies, other operating costs such as utilities and insurance, and capital purchases such as buildings, vehicles, and equipment as specified in the Town budget.Finance Department
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Finance Department
When the Town adopts the annual budget, it determines the tax rate that must be applied on property in order to generate the necessary revenue in addition to all other sources which are available. The current tax rate for the Town of Indian Shores is 1.87000 mills, or $1.87 per $1000 of taxable value. The taxable value of all property in the Town is established by the Pinellas County Property Appraiser. The Town has no control over the taxable value of property; it only has control over the Town's portion of the tax rate that is levied.
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The Florida Constitution provides that a home owner may apply for, and receive, a homestead exemption in the amount of $25,000 plus an additional $25,000 above the just value of $50,000 on his or her principle residence. After property is appraised by the County Property Appraiser, up to $50,000 is subtracted from the appraised value; the remainder is the taxable value upon which the property tax rate is applied.Finance Department
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Finance Department
One mill is equal to $1 for each $1,000 of taxable property value. The Town of Indian Shores 2017 Millage Rate is 1.87.
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There is no difference. They are different names for the same taxFinance Department
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An operating budget is an annual financial plan for recurring expenditures, such as salaries, utilities, and supplies.Finance Department
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A capital improvement budget is both a short and long range plan for the construction of physical assets, such as building, streets, sewers, and the purchase of vehicles and equipment.Finance Department
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A fund is a separate accounting entity within the Town that receives revenues from a specific source and expends them on a specific activity or activities. The Town maintains four separate funds, all of which account for distinct activities.Finance Department
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An enterprise fund earns its own revenues by charging customers for the services that are provided; the fund receives no tax funds. The Town of Indian Shores operates its parking activity as an enterprise fund.Finance Department
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A budget appropriation is a specific amount of money that has been approved by the Town Council for use in a particular manner.Finance Department
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A budget amendment is a resolution adopted by the Town Council which alters the adopted budget by appropriating additional monies to a particular department or fund, decreasing appropriations to a particular department or fund, or transferring funds from one department or fund to another.Finance Department
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The property tax rate and budget adoption process are governed by both the Town Charter and the State Statutes.Finance Department
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The Town Administrator is both the Chief Executive and Chief Administrative Officer of the Town of Indian Shores. The individual is hired by and reports directly to the Town Council.Finance Department
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The franchise fee is a charge levied by the Town on a utility to operate within Town and to use the Town right's-of-way and other properties for locating pipes, wires, etc. The state allows utilities to pass on the franchise fee directly to customers on their bills.Finance Department