Voters to see tax consequences on future county bonds

Community Wednesday, March 5, 2014

 

Future Miami-Dade County bond referendums will contain a caveat to voters: Approving the bond item will raise your taxes.

The Miami-Dade County Commission gave final approval to an ordinance sponsored by Commissioner Esteban Bovo Jr. to include language in future bond measures specifying that the proposed bond would be “paid or secured by taxes derived from the assessed value of property in the County.” A two-thirds majority of the Commission would be required to waive the new language.

“This language will ensure that voters are aware that what they’re voting for will increase their property taxes,” Bovo said. “History has shown that Miami-Dade citizens don’t have a problem paying for something when they feel it is important enough, but as a County, I feel we owe it to voters to be as transparent as possible.”