News

By Mary Thurwachter

    At a budget hearing Sept. 23, the Lantana Town Council gave its approval to an $18 million budget with a tax rate of $3.24 per $1,000 of taxable property.
    The 2014-15 tax rate is the same as last year.
    Thanks to the rebounding economy and the $39 million increase in taxable property values, revenues are up. Of course, expenses have increased as well, but by the time Town Manager Deborah Manzo and Finance Director Stephen Kaplan had crunched all the numbers, they were able to eliminate a $93,426 deficit that would have had the town dipping into its reserves.
    “Most of the balance is due to increased revenues and lower property and casualty insurance premiums than what was anticipated,” Manzo said. “Also, we are no longer paying for the previous attorney’s (Corbett and White) health insurance, which was just over $15,000.”
    The budget allows for merit raises of up to 2 percent, hinging on annual evaluations.
    Among capital improvement expenditures are computers, library books, computer software, beach parking lot lights, a generator for Town Hall, an air conditioner for the library and a new police car for the chief.
    At its regular meeting on Sept. 22, the town also made some amendments to its 2013-14 budget. Some of the surplus revenues (mainly from off-duty police work) during the year will be used to buy a third parking kiosk at the beach to reduce wait time by patrons. The kiosk and shade cover will cost $23,000. Surplus revenues will also be used to repair the beach boardwalk and railing, a $12,000 expense.
    In other action:
    • The council voted 4-0, (councilman Philip Aridas was absent) to amend the comprehensive plan and zoning from mixed-use industrial to mixed-use development for the A.G. Holley property at 1199 Lantana Road.
A.G. Holley hospital will be demolished to make way for a development to include office space, apartments, restaurants and other businesses.
    • The council voted to build three baseball fields, two batting cages and two soccer fields at its sports complex on the Holley property. Town Manager Deborah Manzo was authorized to decrease the size of the second soccer field if needed to fit the available space. Money for the project will come from the developer of the A.G. Holley property ($2.5 million) and from the state ($1 million). In order to get the money from the state, the project needs to be complete by December 2015.