A majority of the Miami Lakes council voted to approve a 2.0732 tax rate and a $21.6 million operating budget during its second hearing on those issues.
The millage rate for the 2024 – 2025 fiscal year is the same as the current property tax.
It will cost $2.07 per every $1,000 of a property’s taxable value and though the levy was not increased, a taxpayer may pay more if the value of their property has gone up.
Mayor Manny Cid, Vice Mayor Tony Fernandez and Councilman Ray Garcia made the proposals on Sept. 26 to cut the millage rate further than what was eventually set.
Councilman Luis Collazo said such cuts -- which would reduce tax revenues and could cause additional reductions to spending on some services – could have been decided during previously held workshops.
“… Slicing and dicing from the dais, it’s not just a good look, it’s terrible on staff …” he said.
Councilman Josh Dieguez said while he has voted for past tax cuts, the reductions proposed that night wouldn’t help property owners.
“A 1% reduction especially is doing nothing more than virtue signaling,” Dieguez said. “Either we provide meaningful tax relief or we give the residents the services they deserve.”
Fernandez suggested cutting cost of living raises for town employees from 3% to 2.6% and then cut the lower amount from the millage rate.
Garcia suggested not hiring staff for two positions that are currently vacant and borrow from the reserves for repair and replacement of buildings (the sinking fund) to hire another police officer, a cost of $160,000.
The police contract will cost $11.2 million, more than expected property tax revenues of $9.6 million.
Councilwoman Marilyn Ruano said public safety needs and special details were adequately funded.
“One more [officer], like the manager said, is not going to be everywhere, all the time,” she said.
The town will use $250,000 -- set aside for a senior center -- to help balance next year’s budget.
Fernandez suggested building a senior center with a new tax on new development in town, Park Impact Fees, separate from an existing county program.
Town Manager Edward Pidermann said staff was developing an ordinance that would allow such funds to be collected and are seeking a county review on it.
Council members Collazo, Dieguez, Bryan Morera and Ruano voted for the millage rate and budget; Cid, Fernandez and Garcia voted against those ordinances.