Property taxes, fire assessment on the rise — Boynton Beach city commissioners on Sept. 23 unanimously approved a property tax rate of $7.80 per $1,000 of taxable value to support the city’s $130.3 million general fund budget.
That budget will pay for the city’s day-to-day government operations in fiscal year 2025, which began Oct. 1. The city’s overall budget, which also includes water and sewer, solid waste and capital improvement funds, is $327.8 million.
The general fund budget is 9.5% — $11.3 million — more than last year.
While the tax rate dropped less than 1% from last year, homeowners will still be paying more because property values rose 8.7% in the city this year.
The commission also increased the annual fire assessment flat-fee to $145, a $25 jump from last year. The vote was 3-2, with Commissioners Angela Cruz and Thomas Turkin opposed to the increase.
Oyer Park protected from development — Commis-sioners passed a restrictive covenant for Harvey E. Oyer Jr. Park on Oct. 1, which would prohibit any residential, hotel or restaurant uses there. Approved uses at the park include commercial and recreational fishing, public safety uses, and the sale of bait and prepackaged snacks.
Regulating recreational marijuana (quickly) — With the potential legalization of recreational marijuana on the state ballot in November, commissioners are looking at placing limitations on where it can be sold if the constitutional amendment passes. The city would have to pass any restrictions before the amendment — if approved — could take effect in January, City Attorney Shawna Lamb said.
— Larry Barszewski
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