Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition

Tamarac may keep property tax rate the same as home values rise

- By Lisa J. Huriash Staff writer lhuriash@sunsentine­l.com, 954-572-2008 or Twitter @LisaHurias­h

During the next year, Tamarac taxpayers will see improvemen­ts across the city, including a larger fire station for University Drive and a clubhouse at a city-owned golf course.

And they’ll pay more in property taxes for that to happen.

Tamarac’s property values have jumped by more than 10 percent. That means even with the tax rate staying steady at $7.28 for every $1,000 in taxable value, many homeowners will pay more. It’ll mean $2.4 million for the city coffers.

A house assessed at $180,000, with a $50,000 homestead exemption, would pay $947.68 in city taxes, before additional assessment­s are factored in.

Almost half the residentia­l properties in Tamarac are condominiu­ms. A condo owner, with a $90,000 value — after $50,000 in homestead exemptions — would pay $291.59 in city property taxes.

Among the projects the city is planning:

$7.4 million for a clubhouse at the Colony West golf course.

$455,000 for playground renovation at Tamarac Park. $860,000 for bikeway paths. The city also must budget $300,000 for interest payments owed on the loan for the land purchases for the pending Tamarac Village, a 401-unit, four-story apartment project of 13 buildings.

There also will be 35,000 square feet of commercial space that the city hopes will create a downtown feel.

The city also is setting aside an extra $701,000 for the fire station project that now has a price tag of $5.2 million. The fire station will be built across the street from University Hospital on what used to be a Piccadilly Cafeteria.

Fire Chief Mike Burton said the 11,500-square-foot project needed to become bigger to fit fire trucks in the future.

It will be “built to accommodat­e the next 50 years,” he said.

The city is also budgeting $214,000 to create a new fire station right near the retirement complex of Kings Point.

The fire assessment fee will remain unchanged at $350 per house or condo. The stormwater fee will be increased $3.60 per year — from $120.49 per home to $124.09.

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