Town of Miami Lakes lawmakers and residents will discuss the budget for next year at a workshop, which is scheduled for Thursday, August 25, at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 6601 Main Street.
The estimated $16.5 million spending plan, at the same millage rate of 2.335 for property taxes, allows Miami Lakes to cover the rising costs for police services and health care insurance for town employees.
Police service will cost Miami Lakes $8.4 million for 2017-2018, which constitutes 52 percent of the town’s budget.
Albeit a challenge, the town’s budget also offers to pay for $60,000 in tree trimming services as part of the town’s Tree Management Plan; $362,000 for beautification projects and parks improvements; $158,300 for employee retention and training; $134,000 for miscellaneous projects; and $121,400 in reserves.
For the town’s committees’ budgets, Miami Lakes is proposing to increase their funding following their requests during a workshop in July.
Their total budgets were set for a total of $227,850, an increase of $16,100.
Some services that may go unfunded next year include the West Lakes Neighborhood Reforestation Program ($100,000); Healthy Miami Lakes Master Plan ($25,000); Smart Cities Strategic Road Map ($25,000); and facilities renewal and replacement plan ($125,000).
For basic legal services and the former mayor’s lawsuit, which has been dragging on for three years, the town budgeted $230,000 for town attorney services, and will carry over $1.40 million for litigation fees and $624,000 in reserves.
In addition, Miami Lakes, by law, must reserve 10 percent of the budget ($570,000) for emergencies.
The estimated roll value from Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser reflects a gross taxable value of $3 billion, an increase of $13 million in new construction and improvements.
As a result, Miami Lakes’ property values increased by 7.4 percent ($207.7 million), which generate an additional estimated $500,000 in property taxes, and the increases to utility services tax ($197,000) and other revenues bring the budget to about $16.5 million.
Miami Lakes has scheduled two budget hearings for Tuesday, September 5, at 5:01 p.m., and Wednesday, September 20, at 6:00 p.m.