Sixth Avenue Coalition

County to roll back Tax Rate!

New Millage will result in More Money in Your Pocket

Commission Approves 14% Reduction

In Millage Rate at Public Hearing



In the first of two public hearings on Broward County’s 2008 budget, County Commissioners on September 11 gave their tentative approval to a 14% reduction in the millage rate, the largest known decrease in Broward County history.



The planned reduction will result in the average homeowner, living in a homesteaded property, paying $143 less in taxes on the County portion of their tax bill. Before the budget becomes final, the County Commission will conduct a second public hearing on the spending proposal on September 25, 5:01 p.m., Governmental Center, 115 S. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale. Public testimony will be taken.



Owners of non-homesteaded properties would only pay higher taxes if their percent increase in the taxable value of their property exceeded the percent decrease in the millage rate.



If approved, the County budget will decrease from $3.692 billion to $3.576 billion. To accommodate the decrease in spending, a number of programs and services were reduced or combined and 360 positions were eliminated. Nearly all employees affected by the cutbacks have been transitioned to vacant positions that were created during the past year-long hiring freeze.



In January, County Commissioners began the budget process with a determination to reduce spending. They instituted a new budget process known as “Zero Based Program Performance Outcome Budgeting.” The new process places additional focus on outcomes in the development of the budget. In addition to focusing on outcomes, the new process is “zero-based,” meaning that continued funding for existing programs or expenses is not assumed.



The tax bills property owners receive each year contain a list of taxing entities with authority to levy taxes on their property. Broward County’s portion of a property owner’s tax bill is approximately 26 percent. The School Board of Broward County accounts for 34 percent of the tax bill; 22 percent goes to municipalities; and, 18 percent is levied by hospital and other special districts.