DATE: September 12, 2016
CONTACT: Kimberly Maroe
Public Information Manager, Broward Commission
PHONE: 954-357-8053
EMAIL: kmaroe@broward.org
BROWARD COUNTY, FL - Members of the public wishing to comment on the proposed Broward County fiscal year 2017 budget will have an opportunity to do so on Thursday, September 15th and Tuesday, September 27th. Budget public hearings begin at 5:01PM and are held at the Broward Governmental Center, 115 S. Andrews Ave, Room 422 in Fort Lauderdale.
Broward County Commissioners have agreed to cut the property tax rate by one-percent in fiscal year 2017, meaning that most homeowners with a homestead exemption will see no increase on the county portion of their property tax bill.
The proposed one-percent reduction sets the FY2017 millage rate at 5.669. Based on this recommended budget and millage rate reduction, the average homestead property taxpayer will pay no increased County property taxes. For some homeowners, the market value change in their properties coupled with the reduced millage rate will determine the amount of property taxes they will pay.
The total recommended budget for FY17 is $4.7 billion, which encompasses all tax supported and non-tax supported funds. Overall the total budget increases by $505 million with substantial funding provided for large projects at Port Everglades, the Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport and Water and Wastewater services.
The proposed tax-supported budget includes funding for several initiatives to improve and sustain quality county services and programs. Issues ranging from homelessness to beach renourishment are being addressed and funded in the FY17 budget. Homeless services receives almost $1.4 million in increased funding to support rapid rehousing, permanent supportive housing and housing provided by the homeless assistance centers. The Broward
Sheriff's Office will receive a proposed $460.2 million in FY2017, half of all county property tax dollars received and a $24.2-million increase from the year before. Overall budgets for the Constitutional Offices and County Agencies (excluding the Property Appraiser's Office) increase by 5.5 percent.
Money is also earmarked for the new public safety radio system, the opening of new County facilities such as the new Animal Care and Adoption Facility and Pompano Beach Library, increased staffing for the Medical Examiner's Office, and economic development.
The second public hearing takes place on Tuesday, September 27th, beginning at 5:01 pm at the Governmental Center, at the conclusion of the second public hearing Commissioners will take a final vote on the budget. The fiscal year 2017 budget takes effect on October 1, 2016.
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