The Miami Lakes council raised the town’s property tax rate 8% from the current millage during its first budget hearing on Sept. 11.
The majority approved a town millage rate of 2.2459, or a tax of $2.24 per every $1,000 of taxable value.
A property owner whose home has a $300,000 taxable value [assessed value less homestead and other exemptions] would pay $673.77 in town tax. Last year’s town levy for that property would have been $621.96, or $51.81 less.
Councilmen Ray Garcia and Angelo Cuadra Garcia voted against the rate. Ray Garcia asked the council to consider a flat tax rate. Cuadra Garcia had suggested earlier in the evening to use the rollback rate. The council didn’t act on those ideas.
The meeting went until midnight as the elected officials continued to search for money in funds to move into the $24.3 million general fund, half of which pays for police.
The general fund is also the source for maintaining parks; legal services; public works; costs of the council; planning and zoning; a dozen volunteer committees; staff salaries and health care.
Gone are quarterly plantings in town flower beds; the town will use native plants instead.
The council reinstated a $100,000 general fund expense to pay for the Senior Tax Rebate, to benefit 300 low-income elders who are longtime residents.
Some accounts such as the Citizen’s Independent Transportation Trust and a Technology Fund in the building department have restrictions on how the money can be spent.
Council members want to dip into them to fund town operations and repeatedly challenged staff and Town Manager Edward Pidermann about accessing the money.
Mayor Josh Dieguez expressed concern about the tone of the discussion from fellow elected officials.
The council has asked town attorneys to look into using those restricted funds before, and once again asked the lawyers to see if their requests are legal.
Compensation for town employees was also on the chopping block, including for employees who live in town and may have the same economic struggles that scores of residents have described to the council.
The council approved Councilman Steven Herzberg’s proposal to deny 3% cost of living adjustment raises for staff who earn more than $100,000, which affects Pidermann and 12 department heads.
“For the year we find ourselves in, to me, it might be a good thing to do,” Dieguez said.
Councilman Ray Garcia said, “We’re asking the staff to sacrifice. I know I may lose your vote” he said to employees attending the meeting who live in Miami Lakes.
Councilman Juan Carlos Fernandez voted against Herzberg’s budget amendment.
Pidermann said staff was already underpaid and that he’d have trouble retaining some employees if they don’t get raises.
“To think we have a bunch of fat cats sitting around and don’t work and just collect a big paycheck, is fantasy land,” Pidermann said. “To tell staff your work is appreciated, but not really, is a travesty.”
The council decided once again to tap nearly $500,000 in the fund for Miami Lakes Optimist Park and make a one-time transfer to the general fund to help balance the budget.
“This is the problem with councils past,” Dieguez said. “We kick the can down the road.”
They hope to refill that account if surplus revenues hit the ledger in the spring.
The council tabled discussion about increasing the FPL utility fee. Property owners and renters currently pay 3% of their bill via FPL to the town.
Pidermann had sought to raise it to 6%, in addition to raising the millage rate. He estimated increasing the FPL fee would have generated an additional $1.125 million for the general fund and could offset part of any millage hike.
The council said they will continue to look for spending cuts before the final budget vote on Sept. 25, at 6:30 p.m. in Town Hall, 6601 Main St.
Miami Lakes resident Bonnie Cintron addresses the town council during the Sept. 11 budget hearing. On the dais, from left: Council members Angelo Cuadra Garcia, Steven Herzberg and Ray Garcia; Vice Mayor Bryan Morera; Mayor Josh Dieguez; Council members Juan Carlos Fernandez and Alex Sanchez; Town Attorney Raul Gastesi, Town Manager Edward Pidermann and Town Clerk Gina Inguanzo. Photo: Alexandra Herrera