By Joe Capozzi
A record rise in taxable values across South Palm Beach would allow the town to lower the tax rate next year to $3.45 per $1,000 of assessed value and still pay for a proposed budget, town accountant Beatrice Good said at a budget workshop Aug. 9.
In July, the council set a tentative tax rate of $3.50 per $1,000 of assessed value, the same as the current rate. Although that tentative rate cannot be increased, the council is allowed under state law to lower it when the final budget is adopted in September.
Public hearings on the town’s proposed $2.4 million budget are scheduled for 5 p.m. on Sept. 12 and Sept. 19 at Town Hall.
The biggest chunk of the spending plan is a $1.081 million payment to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. That’s a 3% increase over the current fee and the first increase since PBSO took over law enforcement services in the town four years ago.
The budget also includes $60,000 to pay raises approved last year for newly elected council members, $50,000 to pay a firm to update the town’s comprehensive plan, and $15,000 to cover 5% cost-of-living raises for town employees.
Taxable values in town went up nearly 13% to $516,863,500.
In other business:
• Lake Worth Beach will raise its fee for providing town sewage services next year by $60,000. To cover the increase, the town is proposing to raise the biannual per-fixture rate by 32 cents, from the current $2.52 to $2.84. The council will vote on the increase in September.
• The council voted 4-1 to apply for a state grant to pay for assessing South Palm Beach’s vulnerabilities to flooding and sea level rise. Council member Ray McMillan voted no.
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