Property tax bill going up

Margate residents likely will pay more in property taxes next year, because property values have gone up by more than11 percent.

The city will bring in an additional $2million a year, even with the tax rate the same, at $7.05 for every $1,000 of taxable value.

For a homeowner of a $150,000 house, with a $50,000 homestead exemption, this means about $705 in city property taxes.

There are other fees, including a $75 increase in the fire assessment fee. Residents will now pay $300 a year, which will being in an extra $2.2 million. OnMargate’s wish list: a dog park, $1 million;

15 police cruisers, $436,900;

new elevators Hall, $250,000;

an annual online law library access for the city attorney, $17,000.

The city also wants to hire seven firefighters who also work as paramedics, a crime scene technician and two police officers.

“I think it’s a lean budget, not a lot of pork inmy opinion,” said Commissioner Lesa Peerman. “There weren’t a whole lot of perks.”

To save taxpayer money, the city will toss its contract withRecyclebank, an online program that encouraged residents to recycle in exchange for points that can be redeemed for gifts. That will save residents 47 cents a month.

“People were paying for something they weren’t using and didn’t need,” Peerman said. “It was an irritation.”

Thecommissionwill give final approval to the budget in September. at City

lhuriash@sunsentinel.com, 954-572-2008 or Twitter @LisaHuriash