Oakland Park budget trims property tax rate

OAKLAND PARK — The city is shaving its property tax rate again, a move that will blunt the increase in tax bills.

The mid-sized city in central Broward passed a $105.4 million total budget this week, with some taxes or fees going up, and some remaining the same.

City officials said the budget is conservative, keeping a healthy reserve, adding no new employees, but allowing for investment in roadways, parks and water-sewer-drainage infrastructure.

Major infrastructure projects will amount to $19.6 million in the budget year. The largest chunk, $12 million, will upgrade the water and sewer system. About $5.4 million will improve “streetscapes” and make it easier for people to get around the city. The remainder will improve water drainage and parks and city facilities. These bills are going up: PROPERTY TAXES: The reduction in tax rate won’t completely offset a rise in property values. So bills will go up.

The tax rate is about $6.10 for every $1,000 of taxable property value.

For the owner of a $150,000 house that grew in value this year by the average 9.4 percent, the increase in the city portion of the property tax bill would about $77, and the city portion of the tax bill would total $1,001.

For the owner of a $150,000 house that’s a primary residence and protected by state homestead laws, the value would increase only 2.1 percent, and $50,000 in value would be exempt from taxation. The increase would be about $14, and the city portion of the tax bill $629.

GARBAGE: Fees for garbage handling are going up from $205 to $217 for homeowners, and by 5.5 percent for commercial property owners.

UTILITIES: Water and sewer rates will go up, based on inflation and charges by the provider.

These bills the same:

DRAINAGE: Water drainage, or “stormwater” fees, will remain at $84 a year.

FIREFIGHTING: Property tax bills will carry the same fire assessment as last year, $199 per home. will remain

bwallman@sunsentinel.com or 954-356-4541