Finance Director Argues 8.8% Tax Increase Needed

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The primary reason for the second City Council meeting in September is always because of the Final Hearing and Approval of the next year’s millage (tax rate) and budget. Finance Director Allan Owens gave a presentation seemingly designed to rebut Mayor Marciano’s position that the millage could be reduced from 5.55 to 5.50. Positions taken by the Council remained unchanged from First Reading – with Council Members Woods, Marino, Litt and Lane making various statements in support of keeping millage flat, and Mayor Marciano restating that “government should do as much as it can with as little as it can”.  Always lost in the discussion, especially when pointing out the minimal dollar amount of the increases (whether City, School Board, County Commission) is that is it is the tax-payer’s money – not the government’s. Pennies here and pennies there do add up. Claims that holding a tax rate flat while valuations go up is not raising taxes when the actual tax dollars taken in are going up 8.8% is disingenuous. Read our analysis of the 2019/2020 Budget – 8.8% Tax Increase in 2020 Proposed Budget.  

Not surprising, then, that Resolution 61, 2010 – Adopting A Tax Levy and Millage Rate passed 4:1 with the mayor voting No. The associated 2019/2020 Budget (Ordinance 20, 2019) passed 5:0 since there was no point in Mayor Marciano voting no on the actual budget once the millage had passed.

The meeting began with a crowded hall – filled with members and supporters of the PickleBall Athletic Club. After Mayor Marciano pointed out that the issues three members raised were not policy, and thus not related to the Council, City Manager Ferris asked the group to meet with Charlotte Presensky (Leisure Services Administrator) and members of her staff in the lobby.

Also making public comment was PBG resident Laurie French, PBGYAA Secy and Executive Board member thanking the City for the Soccer Fields in Gardens District Park.

The City Manager Report included:

• Candice Temple, Media Relations Manager, described the Bahamian Hurricane Dorian Relief Effort joint partnership with Chris Fellowship – see here for more information and how to help.
• City Manager Ferris gave a heart-felt, touching tribute to recently deceased long-time employee and Navy veteran Robin (”Smitty) Smith.

Ordinance 19, 2019 – adopting the City’s Mobility Fee Schedule drew public comment from a representative from Palm Beach County Planning. Khurshid Mohyuddin, Principal Planner, Transportation Planning.   He asked that the City wait until the County held a county wide workshop in 2020. It was pointed out that the City’s Mobility Plan had already been approved at the last City Council meeting and that this ordinance was only codifying the fees.

Resolution 68, 2019 included details of the Model Home Row and Enhanced Entry Features for Avenir Pod 4. This subdivision will have separate Model Home Row designed to minimize any impact to construction areas. The homes will range in price from approximately $800K-$1.2 million. The resolution passed 5:0.

There was no City Attorney report.  The next City Council Meeting will be held on October 3 at 7pm.