Lauderdale Lakes budget builds reserve, pays debt

Lauderdale Lakes continued its climb toward financial strength this week, approving a budget that helps it pay off debt and build a reserve for emergencies.

For taxpayers, though, it’s mixed news. Property tax bills are going up.

The city struggled in recent years, falling into debt with the Broward Sheriff’s Office. The city’s total property tax rate last year was the highest in the county. The leadership of the city was replaced.

Thursday night, the City Commission voted unanimously to maintain the same tax rate as last year, bringing more money to the city since property values have gone up. They also approved a budget that’s slightly lower than last year’s.

“We are in excellent health,” City Manager Phil Alleyne said after Thursday night’s final budget hearing. “We’re trending positively.”

The budget approved Thursday night allows Lauderdale Lakes to pay ahead on its debt to the Sheriff’s Office. Next year, the debt will be paid off, one year early, Alleyne said.

“We’re going to breathe easy tonight that we have passed our budget,” Commissioner Beverly Williams said.

“I’m so proud of this budget,” Mayor Hazelle Rogers said. “We do have a balanced budget.”

Among the city’s major projects are canal bank restoration, Northwest 31st Avenue improvements, repair and replacement of sidewalks and trail expansion.

Property values in Lauderdale Lakes are among the lowest in Broward County, according to the property appraiser’s office, a factor that helps keep tax bills low despite the relatively high tax rate. The average home value is $101,855, compared to a county average of $239,062. Though values rose a strong average of 9 percent this year, the values overall in Lauderdale Lakes are still lower than they were in 2010.

The city of about 34,200 people is in the center of Broward, with Oakland Park Boulevard running through it. The city of Lauderhill is adjacent to the west; the city of Oakland Park is adjacent to the east.

The budget approved Thursday is $40.9 million, about $1 million less than last year’s. The part of the budget that pays for general services is $19.8 million, up from last year’s $18.9 million.

Here’s what taxpayers can expect when it comes to taxes and fees:

Fire fee: The fire-rescue fee, which appears on the property tax bill, will rise 10 percent to $321 for a residential property.

Drainage: The stormwater fee will remain at $75 a year.

Garbage: The solid waste fee will remain at $260 a year.

Property tax: The tax rate remains the same, about $8.50 for every $1,000 of taxable value, but property values went up. That means tax bills will rise.

For the owner of a $100,000 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 will be exempt from taxation. The increase will be about $18 and the bill $443.

Alleyne said the budget allows a $4 million emergency reserve, or about 10 percent of the total budget.