The proposed property tax rates for 2011/2012 were published in today's newspaper. On September 6 at 6pm, Lake Worth will have its first public hearing for the millage of 6.54 unless budget meetings this month, that are being held on August 18, 19 and 22, come to a different conclusion.
6.54% plus the fire MSTU brings us up to 10 mills, the highest allowed by Florida State law. Belle Glade is in the same state of affairs as we. Their problem is the Sheriff costs that are bankrupting their city.
Lake Worth has the highest proposed increase, 21%. The next closest is Jupiter Inlet Colony with 16%. Taxes will remain the same as last year for our neighbor Greenacres, a city of the same size and demographics as Lake Worth, 5.65% and they have their own police and fire departments and have NO Utility from which to rob. In 2010, Greenacres gave a projection on the savings of keeping their own police and fire:
5-year costs of police and fire in Greenacres vs. using Palm Beach County services
City-run police: $44,631,336
Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office: $49,852,276
Difference: $5,220,940 more expensive with sheriff's office
City-run fire: $28,668,183
County Fire-Rescue: $28,498,385
Difference: $169,798 less expensive with county fire
Source: City of Greenacres
At least Greenacres did a Study, something some residents here in Lake Worth complain about and feel is unnecessary and a waste of money. If we had done a Study we would have been much better informed in the decision process and we wouldn't have to go through hassles every year of negotiating police and fire. Public Safety equals 63.56% of the budget. What does the rest of personnel cost? It's amazing that we have anything left over to fix pot holes.
Soon, a Study will be presented (maybe we'll get to see it) on taxing the resident here with Special Assessments by putting them on the non-advalorem part of our tax bill. On Tuesday, Government Services Group is on the agenda for approval to conduct a Study and to spend $32,541 for a special assessment for street lights. Street Lights!? The City has come up with, once again, a clever way to raise taxes over and above the 10 mils. Why are they doing this? Because they can and we have a Commission that will probably say yes. Solid Waste is already going up by $42. Any new fee, no matter what you want to call it, is a tax.
Will someone ask Greenacres how they do it? Was it smarter past commissions and smarter management that negotiated better Union contracts? What ever is the problem?
6 comments:
Your new CM is taxing you to death.
BTW: There are a few of us who believe that the CM may be pulling the wool over everyone's eyes. We say this because after reading the new budget and the new cost proposals, it is becoming clear that the new levies and taxes are increasing the city's baseline by more than $10 million/year. This may be why the CM resisted the forensic audit so vigorously.
I am also curious to read the new IBEW contract and to see if Commissioner Maxwell heeded my warning regarding the overtime cutback on the linemen.
On page 30 of the new budget document, the CM states that there are 16,473 housing units in the city of Lake Worth. (This number does not include those homes in Palm Springs served by the utility.......another few thousand.)
If, as the CM has defined on page 68 of the new budget, each homeowner is charged $34.50/month 'cost of service' charge for electrical that would mean the city coffers are to benefit 16,473 * 34.50 * 12 = $6,819,822.00 for the city of Lake Worth. Additionally, the village of Palm Springs would pay an additional 2,500 * 34.50 * 12 = $1,035,000. for a total (this is approx.) of $7.85 million annually of new revenue.
If the "Refuse" rate is increased by an additional $42/annually the revenue to the city would be approx. 18,973 * 42 = $796,866 for the individual homeowner. (Page 80 of the new budget)
Then, if each homeowner effected by a street light is subjected to an additional $50/year assessment that would likely come to 18,973 * 50 = $948,650. And this is all before the new millage rate goes into effect. (Page 67 of the new budget)
To sum this up, there are approx. $9.6 million in new assessments in the new budget, and all of this is before the millage increase.
I find it amazing how many taxes can be implemented via assessments, and the citizens have absolutely no vote or say-so in the matter.
These special assessments are nothing but taxes in sheep's clothing. All the citizens of Lake Worth need to let the City Commission and City Manager know that we have had enough. There should be no increases in positions at City Hall and no raises which are hidden throughout the budget. We all need to tell the Commission and Manager the line we have heard repeatedly - Lake Worth is in a state of financial urgency! Stop spending funds we do not have and honor the obligations that we do have.
I don't know what the problem is but it all sounds pretty fishy.
No one but the CM knows the true numbers. The FAB was suppose to represent our interests in this process and even they were unable to get the numbers. We are also be taxed by our electric utility which has become a monster in our community that everyone fears. How much of every dollar we give the utility company is not for electric or water used. I hear 25 to 40 cents but no one knows the truth. This is why business and investors will not come to this city and our housing costs are the lowest they have ever been. It's not just a bad economy. It's bad government too.
Stanton controlls the FAB board now.Thatcher and Pickett sit on her lap.Any legitimate board members have departed.
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