WMG Volume 4 • Issue 15 August 16, 2017
Wilton Manors Gazette
Community
City Set to Lose $330,000 if New Homestead Exemption Amendment Passes By Michael d’Oliveira This year’s proposed budget is $34.9 This year, Wilton Manors’ biggest budget worry seems to be something that million, a reduction over last year’s budget of $35.8 million. won’t impact this year’s finances. Resident Paul Kuta said property owners As commissioners, city officials, and members of the Budget Review Advisory should get a break on the taxes that come Committee work on the 2017/2018 budget, with higher property values. He also everyone has an eye on a proposed praised city officials for their proposed budget. “This is the tightest budgeting that homestead exemption expansion. If passed by voters in November 2018, I have seen in the 21 years that I have been reviewing Wilton Manors’ homeowners would be city budgets.” able to take an additional Mayor Gary Resnick $25,000 in taxable value off “THIS IS THE agreed with Kuta and said their homestead, resulting TIGHTEST city officials need to show in less revenue for local governments. Officials expect BUDGETING THAT they are lowering taxes. “We had a substantial increase in it to pass. That would mean I HAVE SEEN IN property values and I agree a loss of $330,000 in revenue THE 21 YEARS with some of the comments for the city. that I’ve been getting from “It’s something we have to THAT I HAVE that they’re start thinking about,” said Sal BEEN REVIEWING residents entitled to a little bit of a tax Torre, a member of the Budget WILTON MANORS’ break as a result of that.” Review Advisory Committee, One cost on the rise at the July 25 commission CITY BUDGETS.” for homeowners is the fire meeting. assessment fee – up from For the upcoming budget - Paul Kuta RESIDENT $210.88 per home last year year, commissioners are to $214.72. The fees, which looking to give property are assessed to residential, owners tax relief that won’t commercial, industrial, government, and result in a huge hole in the city’s finances. On July 26, commissioners voted on a nursing homes, are based on the number of preliminary operating millage rate of 5.99 calls each classification receives. If the call mils, and a debt millage rate of .5015. The volume decreases, the cost goes down. If commission needs to vote on the millage the volume increases, the cost goes up. Commissioner Tom Green said he wants rates twice before they are approved. The first vote will take place on Sept. 13. At to get rid of the assessment fee and pay for that meeting, commissioners will also the services using property tax revenue. “I have never felt this was an vote on a budget and fire assessments. Commissioners can reduce the operating appropriate tax or fee. It is a regressive type of fee because everyone is paying the same millage from 5.99 but they can’t raise it.
Wilton Manors City Commission. Courtesy of the City of Wilton Manors, Facebook.
[even if one home is worth far more than another],” said Green. “Maybe you think that’s OK. I don’t. I think it’s very unfair.” When the commission voted on fire assessment fees, the vote failed to pass because Green, Commissioner Julie Carson, and Vice Mayor Justin Flippen voted no. Resnick and Commissioner Scott Newton both gave sarcastic comments about the failure of the vote. “Congratulations, guys,” said Resnick. Commissioners will most likely approve the assessment at a future meeting. If the fire assessment fee were to be abolished, commissioners would have to raise taxes to generate additional revenue to pay for it. Resnick said the same argument Green made about the fire assessment being
unfair also applies to property taxes because newer homeowners pay more in property taxes than individuals who have owned their homes for a longer period of time. “It’s the same argument Tom is making. It absolutely doesn’t make sense.” Newton said that even though property owners wouldn’t have to pay the fire assessment fee, they still would be against an increase in property taxes. “They’re going to go crazy.” He suggested the city look at possibly getting rid of the fee next year. I certainly will not support raising the tax rate above six mills. I won’t even support keeping it at the current rate,” Resnick said. “I’m not prepared to change the way we do business tonight, but my ears are open,” said Flippen. WMG
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • www.WMGAZETTE.com • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 1 •
August 16, 2017
8.16.2017 •
27