By Tim O’Meilia
Police, fire and emergency services will cost more. But taxable property in Briny Breezes is worth less. And the town’s tax rate is already maxed out. So the Briny Breezes Town Council will ask the corporation that owns the town to increase its support so the town can balance its 2013-’14 budget.
After struggling to reduce legal fees and voting to increase permit fees by $25 to $85 and inspection fees to $50 per inspection, aldermen still faced a $41,000 deficit for the new budget year during two budget workshops in July.
So the town will turn to Briny Breezes Inc. to make up the difference. The corporation paid 30 percent of the town’s combined $520,000 bill for police, fire and emergency service this year. The town will ask it to pay 38 percent next year — $198,000, up from $147,000.
“Maybe the corporation has to pay more because we’re maxed out on taxes. We can’t charge any more,” said Alderman Sue Thaler.
Corporation President Joe Coyner said he would lay the groundwork to ask the corporation board to increase its contribution. Mobile home owners own shares in the corporation depending on the size of their lots.
Police and rescue services will account for 82 percent of the town’s proposed $638,100 budget beginning Oct. 1. The proposed budget is a 6.4 percent increase over this year’s.
A new three-year contract with Ocean Ridge for police services will cost 10 percent more and the fire and rescue service provided by Boynton Beach increases 4 percent annually.
Mobile home owners will again pay $10 for each $1,000 of taxable property value, the maximum allowed by state law. Taxable property value in Briny Breezes fell 0.75 percent this year, only one of two Palm Beach County municipalities without an increase.
As Mayor Roger Bennett is fond of saying, whether it's property tax or corporation assessment, it all comes out of the homeowner’s pocket.
The council set public hearings on the budget for 5:01 p.m. Sept. 12 and 26.
Comments