IDA budget down 5.7%

LAKEWOOD RANCH — As Lakewood Ranch Community Development District supervisors delve further into the 2013 budgeting process this summer, members of the Lakewood Ranch Inter-District Authority Board approved May 17 a preliminary 2013 fiscal year budget of $3.2 million — a 5.7% decrease, or about $194,000 less than in fiscal year 2012.

Lakewood Ranch Town Hall Finance Director Steve Zielinski said the decrease primarily results from the conclusion of an irrigation study last year, which last year cost $83,000, as well as $64,100 in savings on operations expenses.

“It’s a prudent budget,” Zielinski said.

The IDA’s budget, which will be incorporated into the budgets of each of Lakewood Ranch Community Development Districts 1, 2, 4 and 5, continues to provide funding for the future construction of a maintenance facility for Town Hall’s operations department.

Zielinski said the IDA has been making provisions for future expenses associated with the maintenance facility, such as site surveys, permitting and other items, since fiscal year 2010 and has set aside $230,000 over the last three years. The IDA has spent about $137,000 on engineering, designs and other costs so far.
Town Hall officials have received several design options for the new facility but, as of press time Tuesday, were still waiting to find out the costs associated with each design. Zielinski said he hopes to present testimates in June.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].

By the numbers
5.7 — Percentage of decrease in the IDA’s overall 2013 fiscal-year budget compared to 2012.
14.2 — Percentage of decrease in the IDA’s 2013 fiscal-year budget for Town Hall expenses compared to 2012.
21,800 — Current amount, in dollars, budgeted for the lease of the current maintenance facility space.
54,700 — Amount in dollars, saved on information technology and other outside services compared to fiscal year 2012.
1.79 — In millions, the total amount budgeted for Town Hall’s operations and maintenance department.