A woman from Lighthouse Point pleaded with Broward County commissioners to lower the tax rate, saying small-business owners and landlords were still struggling from COVID shutdowns and rent moratoriums. “We’re all having to tighten our belts and cut back on discretionary spending. The county needs to do the same.”
A Davie woman was taken aback when she got her proposed tax bill in the mail. “All I’m asking, like everyone here, is for some consideration.”
And another woman from Lighthouse Point also asked them for help: “Please, have a heart, consider the residents.”
They were just some of the residents anxious about bills, frantic as the property tax estimates hit mailboxes throughout the county. For many, it shows they’d be paying more money this year.
But there was nothing county commissioners could do to ease their burden. The increased value of homes, the cost to live here including property insurance, and skyrocketing rent that has doubled and tripled was not in their power to change.
The County Commission has signed off on a tentative tax rate of $5.669 for every $1,000 of assessed taxes, and will formally sign off on the numbers on Tuesday.
It is just one portion of the tax bill, including the School Board, which has raised taxes this year, the water and hospital districts, Children’s Service Council, and city governments.
Cities also add fees in addition to the property taxes; 27 of Broward’s 31 cities charge a fire assessment, including unincorporated areas. Fourteen cities also have a solid waste tax assessment, including the unincorporated areas.
Records released by the Property Appraiser’s Office this week show 13 cities — just like Broward County — are keeping their tax rate, which includes paying debt, the same as last year. Only three cities — Tamarac, Lighthouse Point and Lauderdale-by-the-Sea — are raising the combined tax rate, which includes the debt. And 15 cities have decreased their overall tax rate.
But because of increased property values, even cities with decreased tax rates could have residents paying more money.
County Commissioner Michael Udine proposed a fractional reduction in the overall tax rate, saying the taxpayers “are stretched to the max” between homeowner fees, taxes and insurance.
“Property values have gone though the roof,” he said, by 11%. “We have one of the most unaffordable places to live. … If we can’t give money back to the taxpayers, we’re doing something wrong.”
He was outvoted by his colleagues who argued the proposal translated to only a few dollars per homeowner annually ($4.21 a year savings on the average homesteaded property valued at $226,558), but the cumulative value would be about $5 million.
The other commissioners also argued that would mean a cut someplace else, including the county’s pot of reserves and without that, they wouldn’t be able to mobilize for emergency expenses, such as spending $15 million to replace a Sheriff’s Office fire-rescue helicopter that tragically crashed last month.
“I don’t think people showed up so we can show them” change, Commissioner Mark Bogen said. “I think they want to see significant savings.”
“Something has to be effected,” said Mayor Lamar Fisher, referring to what would need to be impacted.
“Winter will be coming,” said Commissioner Steve Geller before his vote to keep the tax rate status quo to keep a plush reserve in lean times. “When it happens we’re going to need those reserves.
“I know we will have an economic downturn at some point.”
Among the county’s upcoming expenses:
A Tamarac woman told county officials she was worried about being forced to sell her house. “I know we need to pay taxes. But this is not sustainable. Something has got to give. We’re saying, hey, we need help.”
Another woman from Hollywood was in tears when she spoke about her brother, who had been led to believe his taxes would be stable, but jumped $5,000. “This is going to be a killer for hardworking people,” she pleaded.
Lisa J. Huriash can be reached at lhuriash@sunsentinel.com. Follow on Twitter @LisaHuriash