Jupiter OKs $92.9M budget, new education committee

JUPITER — Jupiter town councilors on Thursday unanimously approved a $92.9 million budget and a steady tax rate for the next fiscal year.

Some of the expected costs include $667,656 in salary increases, $100,000 for the March election and $130,000 for police department body cameras.

The tax rate will remain as it has since 2016 at $2.4633 per $1,000 of assessed property value. The town expects to collect nearly $26.8 million in ad valorem taxes.

Town councilors said they would have preferred to lower the tax rate, but didn’t in anticipation of the passing of the November homestead property tax exemption for home values between $100,000 and $125,000.

Financial director Mike Villella said the town could see a loss of $800,000 to $850,000 in revenue if the exemption passes.

While tax rates stay the same, homeowners will see an increase in their tax payments because of rising home values. For a homesteaded house worth $400,000, there’s a $20.69 increase ($53.21 for non-homesteaded).

Councilors also unanimously approved creation of an education committee. Town manager Matt Benoit said those interested soon will be able to apply on the town website.

Town staff used four municipalities — Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Wellington and Royal Palm Beach — as guidance in understanding how such a committee would fit in with Jupiter. While school decisions are up to the Palm Beach County School Board, education committees in these municipalities can review school capacity and construction projects, seek out nonprofits to fill educational needs and put forth recommendations for the municipality to ask of the school board.