By Tim O’Meilia
Even though the 2010 budget year is just beginning (Oct. 1), town councilmen agreed to chop more than $1 million out of the 2011 budget. Yet it won’t save South Palm Beach residents any money. The council agreed unanimously Sept. 22 to revise its 10-year agreement with Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue to allow property owners to be billed directly for fire service as part of their annual property tax bill. Currently, the town pays the annual cost from its operating budget. “That one line item is a third of our budget,” said Town Manager Rex Taylor. The town will pay nearly $1.1 million for fire service this year from a $3.06 million operating budget. “It’s certainly better for the town, taking it out of the budget.” Both methods of payment are based on a fire-rescue tax rate of $3.50 per $1,000 of taxable property value so the cost to taxpayers won’t change. But residents could save a few pennies in November 2010 by paying property taxes early. Early payers get a slight discount on their bills. The council must given final approval at the Oct. 27 meeting and the Palm Beach County Commission also must approve the change by Dec. 31.
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