The proposal to keep the property tax rate flat from the prior year for Miami Lakes homeowners passed the first vote on Sept. 8.
It will be reviewed by the town council once more on Sept. 22.
If the millage rate stays at $2.3127 per $1,000 of assessed residential property values, it would mean the town portion of taxes on a home valued at $450,000 would be approximately $878.
The town’s proposed overall budget is $42 million. That includes $17.3 million, plus a fund balance that brings the proposed operating budget to $20 million.
The operating budget is used to pay for police and other municipal services, legal fees, salaries and benefits for town staff.
The budget was unanimously approved during the first vote that night; Councilman Carlos Alvarez was absent.
Mayor Manny Cid explained that just 12.34 % of a property owner’s tax bill goes to Miami Lakes.
The rest is distributed to Miami-Dade County (42%); the school district (41.3%); The Children’s Trust (2.4%) and water management (1.43%).
During the council’s discussions, only
Councilwoman Marilyn Ruano voted ‘no’ for keeping the same millage rate. The council discussed rolling the tax rate back to 2.2094.
The town would lose $356,912 in revenues if that was adopted, Town Manager Edward Pidermann said.
Ruano said if there was ever a moment to consider a roll back rate, now was the time.
“Taxpayers have been faced with many challenges, including loss of revenues from business closures,” she said after the budget hearing. “I believe they deserve some relief. Taxpayers have had to tighten their belts and I believe the town should do the same.”
But Councilman Jeffrey Rodriguez said Miami Lakes can’t afford to lose additional tax revenues next year.
He said the town is having a hard time paying back an estimated $851,000 it borrowed in a one-time transfer from capital improvement funds for Miami Lakes Optimist Park and from the town’s reserves to balance the current budget.
“I’m not in favor of rolling the rate back,”
Rodriguez said.
Mayor Manny Cid said because of the pandemic, the state may lose $3 billion in sales taxes and income tax revenues next year, which could impact the town.
Council members will hold a meeting Sept. 16 at 6:30 p.m. to look for areas of the budget that could be cut, including what committees spend.
The town’s various committees are run by volunteers and stage popular events such as festivals, the Veteran’s Day parade, community bike rides, and Easter and Halloween happenings as well as promote business.
The millage rate and budget will be voted on again on Sept. 22 at 7:30 p.m.