When Miami Lakes council members voted on the town staff’s proposal to keep the same rate for property taxes for 2016-2017 last week, one council member contemplated an increase to pay for services residents indicated have gone neglected for sometime now.
Councilmember Tim Daubert said he thought about a tax rate hike following a chorus of entreaties to finish revamping Miami Lakes Optimist Park, upgrading the drainage systems in residential neighborhoods, and spending money for the Black Olive tree removal program.
At last week’s regular Town Council meeting, lawmakers set the preliminary rate of 2.3581 mills, which is $2.3518 per $1,000 of assessed property values, and estimated to generate about $6.2 million in revenue.
During the budget hearings, lawmakers can only reduce the rate, which is currently an increase from $5.9 million for last year.
Miami Lakes, which has budgeted $15.7 million in general fund revenues for next year, is focusing on beautification and plans to spend at least $822,000 on projects for the N.W. 154 Street corridor, N.W. 67 Avenue and 138 Street, the West Lake Neighborhood Reforestation Program, and beautification for N.W. 87 Avenue and 170 Street.
According to a budget overview with preliminary figures, about $1.8 million of services were included in the spending plan but without any funding, including $500,000 for litigation services, $292,670 for two additional police officers, $85,000 for the removal and replacement of Black Olive trees and $35,000 for youth and senior citizens programs.
Daubert said constituents want better services but he told them it may cost them slightly more in property taxes.
“They want their streets cleaned, their trees trimmed, no more street flooding and they want their Black Olive trees gone” Daubert said. “At Miami Lakes Optimist Park, the baseball fields, tennis courts and basketball courts need to be repaired. No one wants to raise taxes, but I told residents if you want those things done, this is what it will cost you.”
According to Daubert, Miami Lakes would need to spend $9.7 million to upgrade services for a new drainage system in Royal Oaks, Lake Sarah and the West Lakes area, the Black Olive tree program, Miami Lakes Optimist Park and two additional police officers.
“That’s six items costing $9.7 million,” he said. “Residents are saying the water is coming up to their garages. On some streets, people can’t go through because they are flooded.”
Daubert eventually voted to keep the 2.3581 rate but plans to take an active role in helping the town cut unnecessary expenses to fund more significant municipal projects.
“I look at every penny we have spent each year on contracts,” he said. “I look at them to save the town some money.”
Councilmember Frank Mingo echoed Daubert’s concerns for residents wanting more services.
“I hear the same thing, but even louder, I hear don’t raise my taxes,” he said. “It’s tough times out there despite what people say about the economy, so I will support the same rate.”
Councilmember Manny Cid also understood Daubert’s position and offered an alternative to fund the projects instead of raising taxes.
“Hopefully, we can keep impact fees from police, fire and library in the town,” Cid said. “There are a lot of things that need to be done.”
Councilmember Nelson Rodriguez said homeowners compare Miami Lakes to other cities with beautiful parks, but there’s a catch.
“They have higher tax rates that can get it done quickly,” he said. “In Doral, look at its parks but also look at its millage rate.”
Rodriguez said residents should decide if they want their property taxes raised.
“Put it on the ballot in November to decide the rate for 2017-2018,” he said.
The budget hearings have been scheduled for Tuesday, September 6, at 5:01 p.m., and Tuesday, September 20, at 6 p.m. at Miami Lakes Town Hall, 6601 Main Street.
The next fiscal year begins on October 1.