By Jay Meisel

meisel@hometownnewsol.com

PORT ST. LUCIE - A proposed Hometown Democracy initiative that will be on the state ballot in November could hurt economic growth in Port St. Lucie and cost the city more money, Mayor Patricia Christensen said.

It would require that any change to the city's comprehensive plan be put on a ballot, she said.

In many cases, she said, the city couldn't approve a new major industry or even the smallest rezoning without putting in on a ballot.

"That's what your elected officials are for," she said, about making those types of decisions.

If a new industry wanted to locate in Port St. Lucie and it required a referendum, she said, the city could be faced with paying $100,000 for a special election.

Otherwise, if the city waited until the next general election, the industry might locate somewhere else.

Al Rivett, former director of the St. Lucie County Chamber of Commerce, said industry often chooses the path of least resistance when making plant location decisions.

Also, on a state level, Mayor Christensen said she will join other mayors in opposing state legislation that would limit the maximum tax increase approved by cities.

She believes such legislation would infringe on the city's "home rule rights."

While not mentioning a tax increase as the answer, Mayor Christensen said city leaders will be soon planning how to cut the city's budget by possibly more than $5 million.

The city expected a 10 percent decrease in property values, but it appears the decline will jump to 15 percent, she said.

That's in addition to a 49 percent in property values during the past two years, she said.

One factor in the situation, she said, is that union contracts will expire this year.

Last year, the city asked that the unions accept a pay freeze, but that was rejected.