Ever since The Coastal Star was first published, I have found it an excellent local newspaper that I have always looked forward to reading. The publication has consistently covered southern coastal Palm Beach County news extremely well, with many int
property taxes (27)
By John Pacenti
Ocean Ridge’s town manager has proposed a modest but potentially crucial new revenue stream as Tallahassee debates sweeping changes that could strip local governments of hundreds of thousands of dollars over the next decade.
At the Fe
Tallahassee’s drip, drip, drip erosion of home rule is about to become a tsunami as Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Republican supermajority’s war on municipalities is now aimed at draining their lifeblood: property taxes.
If the most extre
By John Pacenti
Ocean Ridge commissioners passed the town’s new $14.8 million operating budget smoothly — a contrast to recent years, when elected officials clashed with the town manager and the math didn’t add up.
Now Ocean Ridge is in the era of Mi
Manalapan commissioners unanimously approved an $18.7 million total budget Sept. 22 for the 2025-2026 fiscal year that started Oct. 1.
The budget includes $10.2 million for the general fund, $97,000 to run the library, and $8.3 million for the town’s
By John Pacenti
Last year, Delray Beach Mayor Tom Carney spearheaded a rollback of the city’s tax rate. This year, it rolled right back on residents and businesses.
And, as usual — as if this commission knows no other way — there was plenty of drama
By Mary Thurwachter
The tax rate in Lantana will remain the same as it has since 2022 — at $3.75 per $1,000 of taxable value.
However, homeowners may pay more in town taxes due to an increase in their taxable property value. The approved tax rate is
By Steve Plunkett
In a surprise move, Briny Breezes Town Manager Bill Thrasher dropped his proposal to raise town taxes 98% and instead proposed keeping the property tax rate the same as this year, at $3.75 per $1,000 of taxable value.
The Town Counc
The Manalapan Town Commission has tentatively set the tax rate for the upcoming fiscal year, maintaining the same rate as the previous three years.
However, because property values rose again this year, property owners will still be paying more in t
By Steve Plunkett
For the fourth consecutive year, homeowners in Gulf Stream will likely pay a property tax rate of $3.67 per $1,000 of taxable value.
“Our budget is pretty much almost the same basically every year,” Town Manager Greg Dunham said whi
Water pipe project could be accelerated
By John Pacenti
Newly minted Town Manager Michelle Lee Heiser said Ocean Ridge, basking in good financial news, can expect to keep the property tax rate steady in the newly proposed $13.3 million budget.
With
By Steve Plunkett
A mistaken email made for a dismal Fourth of July weekend for the 56 Briny Breezes residents who hold library cards for the Palm Beach County Library System.
The July 3 email from the library erroneously said the Town Council had ap
By Mary Thurwachter
Lantana held its second budget workshop on July 14, and the process is running smoothly, according to Town Manager Brian Raducci.
Residents may be pleased to learn that the Town Council is not planning an increase in the tax rate
By John Pacenti
So much for the bully pulpit.
Delray Beach Mayor Tom Carney put commissioners on notice, blasting them in two newsletters in July for not being serious about saving taxpayers money.
“I have proposed specific budget cuts to the Commiss
Tax rate holding steady as values take a hit — The South Palm Beach Town Council has tentatively approved keeping the town’s property tax rate unchanged from last year — at $3.40 for each $1,000 of taxable value.
The council made that decision after
Revisions by the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser’s Office to preliminary taxable property values released earlier this year show that those valuations have increased in all cities and towns in southeastern Palm Beach County.
Property Appraiser D
By Steve Plunkett
The Briny Breezes Town Council was still trying to figure out dates, but it decided at its April 24 meeting to hold a budget workshop in May as well as the one it customarily has in the summer.
The driving reason: Town Manager Bill
By Mary Thurwachter
With a deficit of $792,000 in the general fund and $5 million in the utility fund, Lantana will rely on a hefty assist from its reserves to balance its $27.9 million budget for the new fiscal year. However, the town will not raise
By Rich Pollack
As town property values rise to a record high, Highland Beach residents are likely to see their tax rate drop for the third consecutive year.
Town commissioners late last month set a maximum operating tax rate for the 2017-2018
By Sallie James
Property taxes will hold the line if city officials approve the proposed tax rate for 2017-2018.
However, residents could be asked to pay $125 for the city’s fire services fee, up from the current $105.
City Manager Leif Ahnell pro