Friday, August 4, 2017

Budgeting for our 2017-18 fiscal year. I remain committed to "government 'lite'" in Palmetto Bay

September is budget hearing season in Palmetto Bay.  The decisions made for this upcoming year will impact the municipal services you receive, how much you pay in taxes and, if the decisions are not controlled, can lead to far-reaching impact on future budget commitments through increased recurring budget commitments. 

Several budget workshops were held in July - but note that the important steps are the actual budget hearings  to be held in September. The actual decisions are made at these hearings.

Note that our budget is an ordinance, it is passed in a first, then second reading. 

FIRST BUDGET HEARING - Monday, September 11, 2017 - 7:00 PM
(Preceding Regular Council Meeting)

SECOND BUDGET HEARING - Monday, September 25, 2017 - 7:00 PM

Note that both budget hearings shall be held in the Village Hall Municipal Center, 9705 East Hibiscus Street, Palmetto Bay, FL 33157.

Please note that the village council has set the maximum milage rate, and has determined that our property tax rate will NOT be increased for this coming fiscal year, beginning October 1, 2017.  The Village Council may still reduce our property tax rate for this upcoming year - based upon the restraint shown through the budget process. 

The budget process will be the time that we review the services we receive and whether Palmetto Bay remains committed to "Government Lite".  This is OUR money, YOUR money, and you need to stay involved. 

It is important to review what other areas pay, as well as the services that are provided.  I am posting below the comparable municipal tax rates; UMSA, Pinecrest, Palmetto Bay and Cutler Bay are posted below:

1.9283  Unincorporated Miami Dade County (UMSA) - Paid by residents in surrounding areas such as the Falls, East Kendall, Goulds, The Redland, etc. (This is the rate we would be paying had we not incorporated.) 
2.3000  Pinecrest
2.3292  Palmetto Bay
2.3907  Cutler Bay

Please begin your own review and contact me via e-mail at eflinn@palmettobay-fl.gov or via phone at (305) 302-3713 to discuss. 

Please see my post from last year (September 29, 2016):  Palmetto Bay Mayor & Council approve the lowest property tax millage rate in Village history - 2.3292 mills.,

I was proud of the collaboration of the village council in lowering the tax rate - as that is the direction our tax burden should be heading.

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