By Mary Thurwachter
Lantana Town Manager Brian Raducci told the Town Council during its June 8 budget workshop that although the town “is pretty far along” in its budget process, things could change if the Florida constitutional amendment on homestead exemptions passes in November.
“No one knows if it will or won’t pass,” Raducci said.
The town is also dealing with the expiration of the county’s Infrastructure Surtax, which helped it pay for capital projects.
Raducci said the town will continue to spend money still in that account for planned projects. Those include paving, parks, library building improvements, and police classrooms, as well as the creation of an archive center in the town’s Bicentennial Building.
“Our 10 priorities haven’t changed much over the past four or five years,” Raducci said. “They include maintaining infrastructure — especially the utility plant, the sea wall at Bicentennial Park which should begin after the July 4 celebration, and we’ve got a major drainage project going on down on the island,” meaning Hypoluxo Island.
Other priorities include continued beautification projects, responsible development, attracting and retaining valuable employees, continuing to attract business along Ocean Avenue, promoting community engagement, continuing to support the library, resuming the dune restoration project, installing an ADA accessible ramp at the beach and financing public safety with state-of-the-art technology.
Council members, during an April 10 visioning session, agreed by consensus to consider proceeding with the first phase of a $9.5 million Beach Master Plan. This includes boardwalk replacement, building a new two-story restaurant and event building, adding a new restroom on the north end of the beach and demolishing the existing restaurant and pavilion.
Finance Director Stephen Kaplan talked about the forecasted property tax revenue using the current $3.75 per $1,000 of taxable value tax rate, saying the town’s property tax revenue would be approximately $7.85 million.
That would amount to a $477,000 increase in property taxes this year, while general fund revenues would also include a $47,000 increase in franchise taxes and fees and $79,000 more in metered parking (where a $1-an-hour fee increase is recommended).
Still, Kaplan forecast a $746,000 decrease in revenue compared to the current budget. This decline, he said, is primarily attributed to a one-time, non-recurring grant of $1.7 million received this year.
Kaplan said the budget accounts for a potential 15% increase in health and dental insurance premiums, alongside funding for tuition reimbursement and various departmental changes.
Despite these rising costs, Kaplan said, “the inherent flexibility built into the budget allows the general fund to remain nearly balanced.”
The budget proposes to reduce the maximum employee merit-based salary increase from 5% to 4%.
Curbside garbage pickup is due for a 4% increase for property owners.
Kaplan also detailed the fund balances, saying $27 million is in reserves, with $15.7 million in the unassigned fund balance.
Town Council members agreed to move forward with taking the necessary steps to place a referendum question before voters regarding the sale of specific town-owned properties, future property sale authority and town leasing authority.
The second budget workshop, where the proposed millage rate will be set, is scheduled for July 13. Public hearings will be on Sept. 8 and 17.
Comments