Photo: CBS 12
The Palm Beach County Commission is discussing a potential cut in the millage rate, as taxable property values continue to rise with the soaring home prices.
County Mayor Robert Weinroth says the property appraiser's office is forecasting a hike of 3 to 10 percent in property taxes for local homeowners if things are left as is.
"The price of food has gone up. Insurance has gone up. Every kind of pressure has been on our residents and anything we can do to help them I think we need to do."
But Weinroth, asked in the spring whether the commission may look into suspending the local gas tax which is the highest allowed by state law, declined to do that.
Also at Tuesday's commission meeting, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's budge request was discussed.
That amounts to $595 million, but the commission is expected to cut that down.
Weinroth says that Sheriff Ric Bradshaw requested a $52 million increase for the coming year, but will have to do with ten million less.
"I'm confident that at this point we have a budget that is one that will allow him to do his job but also he's recognizing that we don't have an infinite amount of money."
The mayor making it clear that the commission is not defunding PBSO. They are still getting an increase...just not as much as the agency is requesting.