Governing Board Sets Proposed Property Tax Rates for FY2013

Rates will decrease slightly for South Florida taxpayers

At its July meeting, the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) Governing Board approved proposed millage rates for the coming fiscal year that will enable the agency to fulfill its core-mission responsibilities while resulting in a slight rate reduction for taxpayers in the 16-county region.

The proposed rates represent 42.9 cents per thousand dollars of value in 15 of the District's 16 counties (the Okeechobee Basin). For example, a home with a taxable value of $100,000 (assessed value of $150,000, less the $50,000 homestead exemption) would see a total District tax bill of $42.89. For Collier County and mainland Monroe County (the Big Cypress Basin), the tax rates represent 33.9 cents per thousand dollars. A similar home in this region would see a total District tax bill of $33.90.

The District is proposing an overall budget of $656.8 million to fund the agency's core mission in Fiscal Year 2013 (Oct. 1, 2012 – Sept. 30, 2013). The proposed budget would dedicate more than 75 percent of agency revenues to benefit ecosystem restoration and enhance flood control operations.

Property (ad valorem) taxes would make up approximately 41 percent of the revenues in the District's annual budget. Other funding sources include federal, state and local revenue; licenses; permit fees; grants; agricultural taxes; investment income and bond proceeds.

The District must complete and submit its tentative FY2013 budget report to Governor Rick Scott and the Florida Legislature for their review by Aug. 1.

The SFWMD Governing Board will hold public hearings on Sept. 13 and 25 to adopt the tentative and final millage rates. Both meetings will start at 5:15 p.m. The Governing Board will also adopt the final FY2013 budget at the Sept. 25 hearing.

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