Due to a flawed accounting system that led to under billing for special taxing districts administered by Miami-Dade, Miami Lakes and Palm Springs North are among the many cities and unincorporated areas that may face rate increases next year to offset $2 million for security guard gate, lighting and public works services.
Among the 1,068 special taxing districts administered in 2016, 234 of them could see a hike.
Last month, county commissioners called town hall meetings in their respective districts to explain the rate increases to their constituents in a prelude to a public hearing at County Hall, where Mayor Carlos Gimenez apologized for the mix up and said an initial audit discovered the financial gap after the former director of the taxing-district division was removed and the agency was reorganized.
The rate increases will generate an additional $4.3 million in 2016, which is 35 percent more than the $11.9 million that residents in the special taxing districts would owe without the new fees, the mayor said.
The possible rate increases for Miami Lakes include two special taxing districts for guard gate services – Miami Lakes Section One, which is north of N.W. 154 Street, Montrose and Balgowan roads, south of Glencairn Terrace, and west of N.W. 87th Avenue, and Royal Oaks Section One, north of N.W. 169 Terrace, east of N.W. 82 Avenue, south of N.W. 160 Street and west of N.W. 87 Avenue.
In contrast to other enclaves, the possible rate increases for Miami Lakes and PSN may be modest, about $36 for the average property.
County commissioners are set to give a final vote on the proposed rate increases in September.