Back pedaling. Palmetto Bay - has relinquished its honorable mention as a bicycle friendly community.

I have blogged on this topic several times. Now the Miami Herald as taken notice, see: Bike lanes to nowhere: Miami lags behind other cities during coronavirus bicycling boom, by Linda Robertson, 6/18/2020, noting that:

A bicycling boom has swept the world, propelled by the coronavirus pandemic. Cities have reacted to plummeting traffic by creating new bike lanes and connecting old ones for workers needing an alternative to subways and buses, for stir-crazy families and for people running errands, seeking exercise or visiting friends.

  ***   ***   ***Just when bike infrastructure is in high demand, nothing is happening in a metropolis consistently ranked as one of the deadliest places in the country for cyclists, an audit by Transit Alliance Miami found. A 10-block stretch of Ocean Drive in South Beach is the only street in greater Miami that’s been completely closed to cars in response to the pandemic, mainly to relieve crowding in Lummus Park and enable socially distanced dining.

As reported in the Herald, South Florida leaders have not designated new bike lanes and continue to let old bike master plans that map out a cycling network languish on the shelf. So let’s take a look at what has happened since the change in administrations here in Palmetto Bay:

Why have long term strategic plans if elected officials are going to ignore them? We all realize that new mayors, new councils, bring with them new policies and priorities. Sometimes change is good and sometimes it is shortsighted. Regardless, there should be room for bike/motorist safety with this current mayor and Council. The mixed messages delivered during the election are being sorted out through ongoing actions (and in-action).  Please see my prior post of November 21, 2018, relating to the $1,000,000 TAP grant obtained for bike lane safety improvements on SW 82nd Avenue. It is decision time: Bike lanes or not, safe streets or not.  Follow through with the Palmetto Bay Traffic Master Plan and Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan or not? Do you know what has happened since that time? Nothing. Nothing at all.

Bike lanes are important, both for the safety of the cyclists as well as providing additional lane space for motorists.

38 PLACES RECOGNIZED WITH A BICYCLE FRIENDLY COMMUNITY AWARD
BICYCLE FRIENDLY AMERICA
BICYCLE FRIENDLY COMMUNITY
by Amelia Neptune

As more Americans turn to biking during the pandemic, the League of American Bicyclists honors the communities across the country making biking better for everyone 

The League of American Bicyclists honored 38 places with a Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) award in its Spring 2020 round of awards. There were eight first-time applicants earning Honorable Mentions. The 38 first-time communities join 482 total BFC awardees in the movement to build a Bicycle Friendly America for everyone.  I will spoil the anticipation – Palmetto Bay is off the list. (CLICK HERE to view the list of 482 exclusive communities)

 “Undeniably, during the pandemic more Americans are biking to get around and to experience the joy that comes with being on a bike ,” said Bill Nesper, executive director of the League of American Bicyclists. “The League is proud to recognize  these Bicycle Friendly Communities where leaders, both in government and advocacy, have committed to building better places for people to ride, whether they are new or seasoned. Bringing the joy of biking to people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds is at the core of the mission of the League, and these Bicycle Friendly Communities are doing just that.”

All those families riding Palmetto Bay – and yet their efforts are not supported by our local mayor and village council. Sad. And out of touch.

We were once on our way to completing the Palmetto Bay Bicycle and Pedestrian master plan - a professional strategic plan for roadway safety. That is now off track and the talk among some professionals is whether Palmetto Bay is going to turn back $1 Million in current awarded grants as well as forgoing future roadway grants. Go back to the Palmetto Bay Strategic Plan (approved February 2019 - under this current mayor and council) and search "bicycle" - look how many times it is mentioned. Compare talk versus action. Promises versus delivery. 

The League of American Bicyclists had once listed Palmetto Bay as an "honorable mention" for re-starting efforts to address the need of bicyclists in our community. 

Communities that earn an Honorable Mention are recognized for a year. These communities are recognized for starting efforts to address the need of bicyclists in their community. They often have popular shared use paths, community-wide bicycling events, or recent bicycle planning processes. Over 100 communities that originally earned an Honorable Mention have gone on to be awarded a Bronze designation or better.

Please see my prior post of December 5, 2017, Palmetto Bay earned an honorable mention as a bicycle friendly community.

Now it appears that we are no longer a listed community. Good work squandered.

And, by the way, Miami-Dade County is listed as a Bronze community.  Palmetto Bay has officially sunk below Miami-Dade County on this issue!  Who remained and moved up on the list? City of Miami, Village of Key Biscayne, Doral, Miami-Dade County, South Miami, Miami Beach and Miami Shores are all communities that have moved up to Bronze or Silver certification. We, Palmetto Bay, was once with or even ahead of these communities.

This while the City of Miami was recently Awarded Bronze as a Bicycle Friendly Community, recognized by the League of American Bicyclists as having made significant progress since last year's recognition as a Honorable Mention as a Bicycle Friendly Community. The City of Miami will continue to expand its bicycle network and work to create a safer more bicycle friendly atmosphere.  Meanwhile, what is Palmetto Bay's next steps toward updating its traffic infrastructure and promoting alternative and healthier methods of travel within our Village. I will be covering this matter throughout my blogs. We have bike safety issues throughout the village. Palmetto Bay was working through issues on 82nd Avenue, SW 136th Street, SW 168th Street as well as Old Cutler Road.

Palmetto Bay families enjoy bicycling. Its family time.  See just one example: A great start - the inaugural "Bike By The Bay" - Saturday, October 17, 2015

Will Palmetto Bay relinquish its title to #TheBikeDistrict?  Bicycling Palmetto Bay has been a large part of our character and has been integrated into many of our events such as our Earth Week celebrations:


CLICK HERE to view my prior posts relating to bicycling in our Palmetto Bay community.

CLICK HERE to see the entire list posted online by the League of American Bicyclists. 

Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program (FRDAP) - FY2020-2021 Recommended Priority List

Which municipalities submitted for funding and made the list? The Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program (FRDAP) considered all applicants, determining that 134 projects were worthy for funding. The projects are ranked from #1 to #134.  The 2020-21 list includes #18 Key Biscayne, #23 Homestead, #27 Cutler Bay, #40 Miami Beach, #56 Virginia Gardens, #57 Bay Harbor Islands, #68 Sweetwater, #87 South Miami, and #92 North Bay Village. 

A fair question: Did Palmetto Bay even submit for FRDAP funding this cycle? Palmetto Bay was very successful in the past - FRDAP monies have been used in all of our parks. It is foolish and fiscally irresponsible to ignore $50,000 to $200,000 per year. Palmetto Bay does have an in-house, full time grant writer. 

(CLICK HERE) to view the FRDAP ranking list for FY 2020-21. I have posted the local Miami-Dade Municipalities who submitted funding requests and had their proposals make the ranking list (1-134) chose as eligible to receive funding, subject, of course, to the funding provided to FRDAP by the Florida Legislature and approved by the Governor.

Listed below are local projects (Miami-Dade County) that I identified that are contending for funding. The number to the immediate left of the municipality name is the ranking of the application, followed by name of municipality, description of project, and funding amount proposed. 

Note that not all projects may receive funding.  Projects are funded in order of rank.

18 Key Biscayne               530 Crandon Phase I                                       $ 200,000
23 Homestead                  Mayor Roscoe Warren Municipal Park         $ 125,000
27 Cutler Bay                    Franjo Park Restoration Project                      $ 200,000
40 Miami Beach              Fairway Park                                                      $ 200,000
56 Virginia Gardens       Athletic Complex Phase III                               $   50,000
57 Bay Harbor Islands    Tot Lot Park                                                       $   50,000
68 Sweetwater                  Linear Park Improvements                              $   50,000
87 South Miami               S Miami Park Playground & Fitness 
                                                     Outdoor Equipment Project                     $   50,000
92 North Bay Village      NBay Village Canoe/Kayak 
                                                     Launch Project                                           $  50,000

$12,342,750.00 Total amount of funding sought by FRDAP (guaranteeing all projected listed above receive full funding). 

This is an update (and part of what can be considered your Florida Legislature 2020 "tool box") of the RELATED POST of February 6, 2020, Palmetto Bay legislative appropriations requests - Appropriations Project Request - Fiscal Year 2020-21

FRDAP is one of the legislative goals of the Current Palmetto Bay Mayor and Council (see prior post), for the 2020 legislative session, specifically:

Palmetto Bay Resolution no. 2019-121 included:
Note: A. - E. Omitted

F. Seeking funding assistance for the Village’s FRDAP and other such FDEP projects to address park capital improvements and park property acquisitions.

Coming soon - additional updates and fair questions.

15 story Power Lines for US1, our main street? Its time to reengage.

The threat of humongous power lines are back!  Get ready. Get engaged. This is not the time to merely say it's bad, now is the time to be decisive and formulate a united plan with our South Miami-Dade neighbors.

11:30 AM update - You ask, I respond. I am posting 2 photos demonstrating what I am told is the actual route. It appears that Cutler Bay will be spared, until Cutler Bay's commuters reach North Palmetto Bay.

It appears that the proposed power lines come into/adjacent to Palmetto Bay at US1 at the canal just South of the Colonial Palms Shopping Center, south of 136th Street, and then turn North up along US1.

Will the current Palmetto Bay Village Council be one of advocacy, to protect our quality of life or submission in order to avoid controversy in order to protect their own political positions? 

See Miami Miami Herald, Jan. 18, 2019, 15-story FPL power lines would be a jolt to the Underline, neighborhoods, businesses, by Linda Robertson:

Florida Power & Light is not giving up on its determination to string about 27 miles of line atop towers standing 9 to 15 stories tall despite a 2016 Florida appeals court decision that rejected the proposal, ruling that Gov. Rick Scott and his Cabinet erred in approving construction and ignored local zoning rules. FPL went back to the Cabinet — acting as the state Power Plant Siting Board — on Nov. 30 and has again received the go-ahead to erect a 230-kilovolt line along U.S. 1 from Cutler Bay to Coconut Grove. FPL said it needs to increase the capacity of its existing network to provide reliable future service. The city of South Miami, which straddles U.S. 1, will fight FPL, as it and other cities have for a decade, and hopes to win again, Mayor Philip Stoddard said. “The siting board rubber-stamped FPL’s wish list like it did previously, so that’s no surprise,” said Stoddard, vowing to appeal. “Making our cities look like an industrial zone hurts property values. People don’t like giant electrical poles. It’s not just a question of aesthetics. It’s a question of money.”

Photo credit - Miami Herald

While Mayor of Palmetto Bay (in 2010), I sponsored resolution 2010-32, waaaaaay back on April 12, 2010 which, in part voiced opposition to the siting transmission power lines down U.S. Highway 1; opposing the proposed routes along U.S.Highway One and was part of the actual opposition to the power line plan.  

Palmetto Bay joined in league with Coral Gables, South Miami and Pinecrest (to name some of of the co-plaintiffs). Palmetto Bay was once part of the legal coalition until the subsequent administration cut and run, leaving the court action to Pinecrest and South Miami to win – and win they did - and South Dade residents were protected - for a while.  

Now FPL is back, and only Mayor Philip Stoddard of South Miami remains in office to join this issue once again.  Current leadership of Pinecrest, Palmetto Bay and Cutler Bay should follow his lead and join into a united front to protect our communities. 

see prior posts, including May 13, 2014, Decision day in Tallahassee. Herald reports: In face of local opposition, FPL seeks Cabinet OK for transmission lines

TALLAHASSEE: In face of local opposition, FPL seeks Cabinet OK for transmission lines - Political Currents - MiamiHerald.com

The leadership of Pinecrest and South Miami have taken the lead on this issue of neighborhood protection. The Miami Herald reports that these power lines are projected to run from Cutler Bay through Pinecrest, South Miami and Coral Gables to a substation in Coconut Grove. The towers would be built alongside Metrorail and down U.S. 1, past Cadillac show rooms, Porsche dealers, retail malls and through miles of concentrated development.

Also see: October 21, 2013, A fine example of teamwork and leadership. Coral Gables mayor, attorney talk with state pols about FPL lines - Coral Gables - MiamiHerald.com

This is time for definitive action, not talk.

Another background post, July 8, 2013, FPL Transmission Line Administrative Hearing begin today (After 4 years of preparation) - and without Palmetto Bay

Update - on the 2018 June 1st Estimates of Taxable Values released by Property Appraiser, Pedro J. Garcia

Property Appraiser, Pedro J. Garcia, has released the 2018 June 1st Estimates of Taxable Values to the Taxing Authorities showing a continued growth in the real estate market. The countywide estimated taxable value for 2018 is $288,859,000,000, a 6.0% increase from 2017.

I have listed below the taxing districts that I (Mayor Eugene Flinn) usually follow as relevant to Palmetto Bay:

 Gain    Taxing authority                                           New construction $ expressed in Millions

  3.90   Coral Gables                                                   $161 m

  5.50   Cutler Bay                                                       $   9 m

  3.80   Doral                                                               $595 m

  5.50   Homestead                                                     $  85 m

  4.00   Palmetto Bay                                                  $    5 m

  3.40   Pinecrest                                                         $  35 m

  4.70   South Miami                                                    $  24 m

  3.90   Unincorporated Miami-Dade (UMSA)             $903 m

Countywide and School Board will affect your countywide portions of your tax bill

  3.90   Countywide                                                    $5,679,000,000.00

  3.30   School Board                                                 $5,683,000,000.00

Note that the differences in estimated taxable value between the Countywide and School Board is due to various additional homestead exemptions applicable to Miami-Dade County that do NOT apply to the School Board.  This is equally applicable to the municipalities and UMSA listed above.

Initial estimate released June 1:

The Miami-Dade Property Appraiser issued the June 1, 2018 Estimates of Taxable Value to Miami-Dade County's Taxing Authorities.  This allows the County, School Board, and local governments such as Coral Gables, Cuter Bay, Homestead, Doral, South Miami, Palmetto Bay, Pinecrest, South Miami and UMSA to proceed with the preparation of their 2018-2019 budgets.

Final Property Roll to be released July 1.

July 1st the Property Appraiser’s Office will publish the 2018 Assessment Roll, which provides the taxing authorities with their official numbers to set their millage (tax) rates.

It is early, but to get a preview of my philosophy, see my post from August 4, 2017, Budgeting for our 2017-18 fiscal year. I remain committed to "government 'lite'" in Palmetto Bay. And yes, I firmly remain committed to Government Lite and keep the property tax rate the same, and that includes any actions taken on Parks, including the proposed Community Center.

Your Mayor,

Eugene Flinn

South Miami-Dade County Municipal / County leaders - united to make our community safer

I am proud to participate with this group of local leaders who are dedicated to working for resolution of this issue - safety in our schools and community is of upmost importance. It does take a Village; as well as a County, a State and a Nation! 

Everybody wants to keep our children safe. Together we can, and we must, do better.

As a nation, we are facing the reality that no place is sacred or free from violence; not schools or churches, movie theaters, dance clubs or concerts.

It is our job as local leaders to protect residents, and especially our children. Our hands are tied in some critical areas by state laws that prevent us from even having an honest conversation on the subject of gun violence. That doesn’t mean that we’re helpless.

But even if the state continues to block our calls for greater gun safety, there are a few things we can do in our local community by focusing on school security and community caring.

We continue to work together for our community.  Please review the complete joint statement issued by our County Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava, Mayors Peggy Bell of Cutler Bay, Joe Corradino of Pinecrest, Philip Stoddard of South Miami, and Otis Wallace of Florida City. 

See (CLICK ON HEADLINE): We must do better to keep children safe, joint statement, Miami Herald Letters to the Editor, February 21, 2018

Your tax dollars - full millage chart for all municipalities and the unincorporated area (UMSA). Read on to find your Overall Total Millage (combined property taxes)

Every property owner pays a tax for municipal services - regardless of whether that property is situated in an incorporated or unincorporated area (its called "UMSA" and substitutes for the municipality) -  some areas have “Debt Service" and other Miscellaneous Millage tacked on as well. 

I have posted the full mileage chart for all municipalities and the unincorporated area (UMSA). Read on to find your Overall Total Millage (combined property taxes)

       YOUR COMBINED – TOTAL OVERALL PROPERTY MILLAGE RATE:

                   (I selected 6 neighboring municipalities and compared with UMSA)

17.8921     UNINCORPORATED MIAMI-DADE (UMSA)

17.8636    DORAL
18.2638   PINECREST
18.2930   PALMETTO BAY 
18.3545   CUTLER BAY        
20.6293   SOUTH MIAMI
22.4787   HOMESTEAD

ALL COUNTY PROPERTY TAXES:

Every county resident pays into Miami-Dade County School Board

7.1380 operating millage

0.1840 for debt service.

Countywide Property Tax millage

4.6669 for operating
0.4000 debt. 

All municipal (and UMSA) residents, but for those living in only 5 cities pay for

County Fire Service –

2.4207 for operating and

0.0075 for debt service. 

All municipal (and UMSA) residents, but for those living in only 5 cities pay for

County LIBRARY Service –

0.2840 for operating –

ZERO   for debt service.

County special (voter approved Property Tax) –

All property tax payers in Miami-Dade County pay 0.5000 for the Children’s Trust

All properties in Miami-Dade County are assessed the following REGIONAL Millages:

0.1359  South Florida Water Management  
0.0471  Everglades Project
0.1477  Okeechobee Basin
0.0320  FIND

No municipality is left out on the chart (posted as a .JPEG below).  You can also view this same chart of the 2016 Adopted Millage Rates online, Miami-Dade County, : http://www.miamidade.gov/pa/library/2016-proposed-millage-chart.pdf

2016 Adopted Millage Rates

Want more information regarding your taxes?  Regardless of Taxing authority, the Miami-Dade Property Appraiser is your best source for information.  CLICK HERE for main page

SOME IMPORTANT DIRECT LINKS:

Frequently Asked Questions - FAQs  (CLICK HERE)

Glossary of terms CLICK HERE - defines terms such as “ad valorem tax”; "Real property"; "Save Our Homes (SOH) - Amendment 10"; "Taxable value"; to "Timeshare period titleholder"

Thank you for reading and preparing for our 2017-2018 budget hearings.

Our environment, our community, our future - a collaberative effort to maintain our quality of life. Part 1 - our local environment

Our future is all intertwined. how we treat our local environment will determine how long we will want to live here as well as the threshold question of whether there is a local above sea level to call home.

We need to protect and prepare for our future, whether it is protecting our native Pine Rocklands, Mangroves, or Everglades.  We need to grow smart or not at all.  And don’t leave out transportation.  Transportation is another Number One issue (yes - there are more than a single critical issue facing South Florida) as growing gridlock is rapidly eroding our quality of life – but more on that in a future post. 

I am proud to be doing our part on environmental and transportation issues.  There are no perfect answers, but our actions must be part of well thought out policies.

For now, check out Fred Grimm’s column: South Florida’s mayors face reality of rising seas and climate change (online Miami Herald)

The Sierra Club meeting was held on Wednesday, March 23, 2016, at Pinecrest Gardens.   I am proud to have been part of this event along with fellow mayors (including host) Pinecrest, Miami, South Miami, Key Biscayne, and Cutler Bay.  Miami-Dade Commissioner Daniella Levine Cava as also a prime participant.  The event was moderated by Sierra Club's National Executive Director Mike Brune, and Caroline Lewis of the CLEO Institute, focusing on climate change, what local officials are doing. Also introduced was Sierra Club's nationwide campaign to have cities to commit to 100 percent renewable energy. See http://www.sierraclub.org/ready-for-100.

Thank yous are also due to Jim Teas, Chair, Miami Group (and wife Kathy as well!) for all your efforts in our community.

I am also proud and remain committed to advocating for our Future.  I was among the 15 Florida mayors wrote to Sen. Marco Rubio, begging him to face the reality of climate change. (Online Miami Herald, including links to download the letters - South Florida mayors press Marco Rubio, Jeb Bush on climate change, by Patricia Mazzei)

And yes, along with the original 15, with additions to raise the number to 21 mayors and The CLEO Institute, or http://www.cleoinstitute.org/ - signing on to letters sent to moderators of the upcoming Democratic and Republican debates describing their common concern “about sea level rise and climate change,” – Online Miami Herald: Florida mayors to debate moderators: Ask presidential candidates about climate change, by Patricia Mazzei

This is our community.  Let’s not sink together, but let’s rise up and make sure we all have a long future here in and for our South Florida Communities.  I will continue to collaborate with our elected officials and those community groups committed to protecting our quality of life. 

Eugene Flinn, Mayor

Palmetto Bay

 

Busy, rainy, event filled-weekend. WHEELS, DARE Art Festival pushed through the rain, Food & Rock cancelled

November 13, 14 & 15 was a very busy weekend impacted by rains all weekend.  The WHEELS Big Bash was forced to shut down early on Saturday due to torrential rain. A nice ride made very wet - the WHEEL Bike Train that stated/ended in South Miami, running down the South Dade Bike Trail, onto 168 Street, west through Larry & Penny Thompson Park, onto and south through the Black Creek Trail to Black Point then up through Cutler Bay, Palmetto Bay, and through Pinecrest on the Old Cutler Trail back to South Miami.  

Tree down on the busway/bike lanes -Top 11/13, bottom, on 11/14

Victor Dover and UBER execs - announcing UBER POOL Ride Share.

 

 Alexandra and I attended two events Friday evening held at the Tropical Audubon House in South Miami - The Ceci Watson Exhibition, Opening Reception held as part of the South Miami Art Walk (a must do) and the WHEELS Friday evening reception. (also pictured, Amy Creekmur and Amy Donner at TAS/Exhibit) - GO Green!

Alicia Bravo, Director, Miami-Dade Transit speaks to WHEELS attendees

 

(above left) Bike 305's Sue Kawalerski shows off the new BIKE 305 Bike trails/routes map.  (above right) WHEELS events listing.

Rain led to an unfortunate early end - the Bike Bash was an outstanding event. Looking for another one.

The Rain impacted other events in Palmetto Bay as well - our Palmetto Bay Policing Unit's DARE Art Show.

The DARE show did go on through the Saturday and provided fun and crafts for those who attended.

The 4th Annual Food and Rock festival was forced to cancel the event.

(Notice posted on the Village official Facebook site): EVENT CANCELLED - Palmetto Bay was hosting Florida Rock Star's 4th annual Palmetto Bay Food & Rock Festival TONIGHT at Ludovici Park Amphitheater however, due to inclement weather, the event has been cancelled. Sorry for the inconvenience

Things to do this weekend: Art Show season continues - South Miami Rotary Art Festival - Feb 21, 22

Things to do this weekend (info taken from official website):

The Rotary Club of South Miami proudly presents its 32nd annual festival during the last weekend of February. The South Miami Rotary Art Festival takes place in the vibrant downtown area of South Miami on Sunset Drive (SW 72nd Street) from US 1 to Red Road (SW 57th Avenue) adjacent to The Shops at Sunset Place. The area is filled with historic buildings, restaurants and unique shops. Just three miles south of Miami's Coconut Grove, South Miami borders the University of Miami and the upscale neighborhoods of Coral Gables and Pinecrest.

There is free admission for patrons with ample nearby parking on-street and in garages. The festival features 150 outstanding artists, a fine expanded food court and beer garden and live jazz onstage.

For online or GPS directions search for 5750 SW 72 St., South Miami, FL 33143. You can reach them at info@southmiamiartfest.org or by telephone at 305-769-5977. Please be advised that volunteers periodically check messages and reply or return calls 

Check out the Community Newspapers coverage of this event (CLICK HERE): Its time for the South Miami Rotary Art Festival, by Jose Bowles: The festival was started in 1984 by John Sorgie, Karen Dorfman, Lydia White, and other members of the Red Sunset Merchant’s Association. It started as a small show with only 25 booths; it has grown into one of Miami-Dade’s most anticipated events.

And you should be there!  Weather will be cool.  Fun times.  We are in the midst of area Art Festival season.  Pinecrest, Beaux Arts, Coconut Grove, Wynwood and now South Miami.  Alexandra and I hope to see you there!

2014 certified tax roll released July 1st. What it means for Palmetto Bay and surrounding areas.

The Miami-Dade Property Appraiser released the July 1, 2014, Certification of Taxable Value - to the County’s taxing authorities which include county government, the 35 municipal governments, School Board, Children’s Trust and the State regional districts. The County-wide average increase was 6.0% existing, 6.8% inclusive of new construction.

The July 1, 2014, certification is the information used by the County, municipalities and various other taxing authorities in their various budget preparations for the 2014-2015 budgets.

The South Dade Municipalities are ranked below.  Palmetto Bay came out 5 0ut of 6 of what I have included in the list, below South Miami, but thankfully above Florida City.

Homestead led the South Dade rebound for this year with an increase of 5.0/8.00%, just edging out Cutler Bay’s 4.9/8.10.

The % of change from 2013 first number is the Percent change on the existing and second is Percentage of change including new construction.

% Existing    W/New const.                                                                     Total New Const.
4.90&             8.10%             Cutler Bay                                                     $  55,904,952

5.00%             8.00%            Homestead                                                   $  54,069,972
4.40%             5.50%            Unincorporated Miami-Dade                   $592,896,543
3.80%             4.70%            Pinecrest                                                       $  34,922,892
3.00%             3.30%            South Miami                                                $    4,169,483
2.40%             2.60%            Palmetto Bay                                                $    3,587.147
-1.4%              -1.0%              Florida City                                                  $    1,345,916

 6.00%             6.80%             Miami-Dade County (Countywide) (affects all property taxpayer in Miami-Dade County regardless of which municipality or unincorporated area the property is located)

It is important to note what new construction generates.  Palmetto Bay collects 2.447 mills on the taxable value.  The $3,587,147 results in a realization of new tax revenue that totals $8,777.75.  That is revenue; it does not take into account any additional costs for service that the property generates. Remember that number when increased service costs are considered when building the downtown.  Palmetto Bay officials should be careful not to spend what the downtown has not generated.  For example, if Palmetto Bay moved into the Pinecrest range of new construction growth ($35 million for this year), the increase in tax revenue would be $85,456.32.  That would just barely cover the $60,000.00 Palmetto Bay officials have budgeted for the 4th of July downtown celebration / fireworks, leaving just under $25,500.00 to cover any additional costs of service such as police, administrative, etc. 

CLICK HERE to download and review the full comparison chart for each taxing district. This provides much more detailed information from the partial listing above.