By Agrippina Fadel
The Tamarac city commission passed the proposed millage rate and agreed on the dates for the public hearings for the 2023 budget on July 13.
Three out of five commission members agreed to the proposed rate of 7.2000 mills which matches the 2022 rate. Vice Mayor Mike Gelin said he would push for a 7.1000 mill rate in September, and commissioner Marlon Bolton supported him by also voting no.
Jeff Streder, Budget Manager for Tamarac, explained that although in 2022, Tamarac had the tenth highest millage rate in the county, the city was still among the lowest with the amount of taxes levied on the median value of single-family homes and condominiums.
He added that the median value for a single-family home in Tamarac went up by $290 in the past year, translating into a taxpayer impact of $2.09 for the year. The median value of condominiums went up by $410, which means a $2.95 tax increase for the owners.
Christine Cajuste, the city’s financial services director, said the proposed millage rate of 7.2000 mills provides funding for general operations of the city, allowing it to maintain current service levels at a time when the city is expected to pay considerably more for all goods and services. The rate will also provide funding for three new full-time positions and conversion from part-time to full-time for one employee.
“The recommended millage rate of 7.2000 mills is 11.82% higher than the rolled-back rate of 6.4387 mills for the fiscal year 2023,” she added. The roll-back rate calculates taxable property values in relation to the total revenue they generate for a government: the higher the taxable value increase, the lower the rate.
Cajuste explained that the proposed millage rate, once approved by the commission, is considered a “not to exceed” rate.
“At the first public hearing in September, we will bring you a tentative budget and a preliminary millage rate,” she said.
The first hearing is set for Monday, September 12, at 5.05 p.m., and the second is scheduled for Tuesday, September 22, at 5.05 p.m. Both hearings will take place at the Tamarac Commission Chambers, located at 7525 N.W. 88th Avenue.
The millage rate was amended in 2021 from 7.2899 mills to 7.2000, the first time it was reduced since 2013.
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