By Rich Pollack
Highland Beach town commissioners, after their first look at a proposed $11.7 million budget, voted to keep the proposed tax rate for the coming fiscal year at $3.95 per $1,000 of assessed value, the same as the current tax rate.
Thanks in large part to a 4.1 percent increase in property values and the use of an estimated $920,000 in reserve funds for proposed one-time capital expenditures, the town will be able to increase its general fund budget by $1.3 million without having to raise the tax rate, said Town Manager Kathleen Weiser.
“This budget shows that the town is in good shape financially,” Weiser said.
The proposed budget includes a 6 percent increase in personnel expenses as well as a 7 percent increase in operating expenses.
Proposed changes in how the town’s emergency vehicles would be dispatched and in how fire and rescue equipment is maintained account for the bulk of the operating expense increase, according to Finance Director Cale Curtis. Town commissioners are still discussing both issues and have yet to give final approval.
Also still under discussion is a proposed $825,000 Police Department renovation, which makes up the bulk of the $983,000 in budgeted capital expenditures for the coming fiscal year.
To help fund the capital expenses, Weiser and Curtis are recommending commissioners allocate $920,000 from the town’s reserve fund, which is currently at $3.7 million.
Not included in the proposed budget is $3.5 million in expected revenue coming from the pending sale of two town-owned properties in Boca Raton.
“This budget is balanced without any major spending cuts to personnel and operations,” Weiser wrote in her letter presenting the budget to commissioners. “It includes some much-needed maintenance and capital improvements that were delayed in prior budgets. Most importantly, it does not call for a tax rate increase.”
A budget workshop is planned for 4:30 p.m. Aug. 7, and a second budget workshop, if needed, will be at 1:30 p.m. Aug. 21.
Public hearings on the budget are scheduled for 5:01 p.m. Sept. 5 and Sept. 17.
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