Town property taxes go down again — The South Palm Beach Town Council in September approved keeping the town’s tax rate at $3.30 for every $1,000 of taxable value. However, unlike in other nearby towns that have held the line on their tax rates, South Palm Beach’s move means the average property owners will see their town taxes go down.
That’s because the town’s overall property values have declined for the second year in a row. The approved rate also marks the second consecutive year the town rate is below the “no new taxes” rollback rate, which was set at $3.4156 per $1,000 for the new fiscal year that started Oct. 1.
While the town’s taxes may be decreasing, Town Manager Jamie Titcomb explained to the council that many if not most residents will nonetheless see an increase in their total property tax bills because of assessments charged by the county, school district and other taxing agencies.
Town applies for grant — Titcomb informed the Town Council that the town had submitted a grant application with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection requesting $2.5 million toward its ongoing construction of a new wastewater lift station.
The grant would be expected to cover as much as 50% of the expected cost of $5 million.
Titcomb also said efforts are ongoing through the town’s lobbying firm in Washington to obtain federal funds for the same project. He said those efforts won’t occur until next summer, but “if both funding sources were to come through, there is a likelihood that the town’s majority investment in the lift station could be paid for by state and federal dollars.”
Town vehicle donated — The council voted 4-0, with Council member Sandy Beckett absent due to illness, to donate a 2015 Ford Explorer to the town’s Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office substation for whatever purpose that office chooses.
The Explorer was previously used in various capacities by town employees, but that use was discontinued several years ago and the council has on multiple occasions debated the correct next step. Titcomb, who proposed the donation, said the move “could be a back channel asset to us in the long run.”
— Brian Biggane
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