The St. Pete Beach City Commission voted unamiously to raise the millage tax in St. Pete Beach during September 25th's city commission meeting.

The tax increase is being made to help alleviate the debt that St. Pete Beach is currently facing.

The St. Pete Beach debt has increased around $1 million every year for the past six years, City Commissioner Jim Parent said.

"We have the lowest tax rate, but we have the highest line of credit around," Mayor Steve McFarlin said.

If approved, St. Pete Beach will save 1.3 million if we contract the Pinellas County Sheriff's Department, but they aren't going to count on that.

"We can't gamble on the outcome of an election," Parent said.

I have no problem doing this, because it's what's right for our city," Commissioner Beverly Garnett said.

Vice-Mayor Marvin Shavian initially brought up other options for the city, but decided to side with the majority on the issue.

"It's time to stop playing games with debt," McFarlin said.