Weston keeps same tax rate, raises fire, trash fees

Weston residents are likely to pay more in city taxes and fees this year, thanks to increased property values and higher trash and fire fees.

The city is proposing to keep the property tax rate of $2.39 for every $1,000 of taxable property value — the fourth year in a row it has done so.

Taxable property values in the city rose almost 6 percent, exceeding the initial forecast of 4 percent growth. That means even with a flat tax rate, residents will pay more.

In addition, the annual costs of residential trash pickup will increase from $179 to $183, while the fire service fee will increase from $426.90 to $433.97 for single-family homes and for multi-family homes, from $438.88 to $446.18.

Weston’s $131 million proposed budget would pay for five additional Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies. The city recently created an additional patrol zone along the Weston Road corridor — the first new one in 10 years. All the zones are patrolled around-the-clock.

The corridor runs the length of the city’s eastern border and was previously part of a larger zone. But it was made a separate zone because more calls for service came from that area than any other.

The city may have another expense to consider, but not this year.

Earlier this month, the commission initially approved a boost to their own pay. Their current salaries, $10,000 annually for commissioners and $13,000 a year for the mayor, were set in 2002. A proposed charter amendment would increase commissioner salaries to $12,300 and the mayor’s salary to $16,000, with annual increases to be dictated by the U.S. Consumer Price Index.

The final reading for the ordinance is scheduled for Aug. 21, and if it is approved, it will be placed on the 2018 ballot. If voters approve it, funding would be included in the fiscal year 2019 budget.