PUNTA GORDA — Despite a chorus of
objections from a crowd of seniors all wearing red shirts to express their opposition, the City Council unanimously approved a $43.7 million budget that includes an
18 percent hike to the property tax rate, at a final budget hearing Wednesday.

“There’s a sense among the citizens the council does not get that these are difficult times for everyone,” said Barry Jollett, a resident who helped mobilize others to attend.