The City Commission, at its July 12 meeting, approved the proposed millage rates and tentative budget for fiscal year 2022-2023, and set the first budget public hearing date for Sept. 12 at 6:30pm.
The Commission also approved the proposed assessment rates for Fire Protection Services, Stormwater Utility Services and Solid Waste Collection Services, which will also have a public hearing on Sept. 12.
The proposed total city budget across all five operating funds is $23,703,661, which includes the General Fund (including police and fire), Tennis Center Fund, Garbage and Trash Fund, Debt Service Fund and the Stormwater Utility Fund. The budget projection for fiscal year 2022-2023 represents an increase in total expenditures of $1,348,410 (6%) above the current year’s projection.
The proposed operating millage rate is 3.7539, which is a 0.1646 increase over the operating millage rate of 3.5893 that has been in place since fiscal year 2011-2012.
Even though taxable values were the highest in the City’s history, increased operating costs,
new or expanded services, and capital improvements do not allow for a balanced budget if the operating millage rate remains the same.
According to city officials, increasing the operating millage rate will cover a budget deficit of approximately $283,000, and will also set aside approximately $330,000 in the city’s Infrastructure Fund for much-needed long-term infrastructure projects that must be saved for over time.
“The City must be proactive in preparing for its future,” said Mayor Kyle Van Buskirk in his budget message to the City Commission. “By putting this money aside, the City shows our residents the commitment necessary to keep Lighthouse Point an amazing place to live for years to come.”
The proposed debt service millage rate for the General Obligation Bonds issued by the City in 2019 is 0.3285, which is a decrease from the current rate of 0.0428 due to an increase in assessed property values. The debt service millage rate for General Obligation Bonds issued in 2002 will decrease from 0.1499 to zero, as the City will no longer be paying the note after August 2022.
The proposed total combined millage rate assessed against properties is 4.0824, compared to 4.1105 in the current fiscal year.
According to an index of millage rates published by the Broward County Property Appraiser’s Office, Lighthouse Point’s millage rate remains among the lowest in the county.
The proposed rate for the Fire Protection Special Assessment is $134.50 for single-family dwellings, the same as the prior fiscal year. The proposed rate will fund just over 23.93% of fire protection services.
The proposed rate for the Stormwater Utility Special Assessment is $75 per year for a single-family property, the same as the prior fiscal year.
There will be an increase in assessment rates for Residential Solid Waste Collection Services (garbage and trash), based on preliminary rates provided by Waste Management, the city’s contracted waste hauler.
Residential solid waste collection rates for all dwelling types will increase by $1.11 per month, or $13.32 per year. The estimated annual assessment rates are $570.84 per unit for dwellings with four or less units, and $521.04 per unit for dwellings with five or more units.
At the City Commission’s budget workshop on June 28, Finance Director Cori Olympio said the budget appeared to be rebounding from pre-pandemic levels, and the estimated revenues have been adjusted to reflect that change.
The proposed budget for fiscal year 2022-2023 includes new staffing positions: a full-time budget analyst for the finance department; a full-time police officer dedicated to task force missions; a full-time parks specialist for the public works department; and two part-time park monitors and increased hours for the part-time recreation leader positions. The additional positions are offset by the recent conversion of the Tennis Center employees to contracted positions.
The budget proposal contains $820,940 in capital purchases and improvements, including equipment for the fire department; three replacement patrol vehicles for the police department; two replacement vehicles for code enforcement officers; a new boat engine and service truck for public works; materials for the library; bleachers, lawn equipment for the parks, and Dan Witt Park improvements; renovation of the existing bathroom facilities at the Tennis Center; and a stormwater drainage project on NE 34th Court.
The final public hearing to adopt the millage rates and budget is tentatively set for Sept. 22 at 6:30pm. The Sept. 12 and Sept. 22 public hearings will be part of the regular City Commission meetings rescheduled for those dates. City Commission meetings are held at the City Hall complex, located at 2200 NE 38th Street, and via the Zoom virtual meeting platform. Details on how to view the meetings via Zoom will be posted on the City’s website (lighthousepointfl.gov).
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