Implementing Property Tax Reform Without Hurting Our Community (Parkland Life Column)

We have met Round 1 of Property Tax Reform and we have done well, I am proud to say. We have been able to cut our budget by $3.75 million without impacting the vast majority of services we provide to you. We have two public budget hearings set for later in September, as follows: they are tentatively scheduled for September 14 and 18 at 5:15 pm at City Hall. The property tax millage and assessment rates will be adopted at this time. With the millage rate projected at less than $3.40, we will continue to have the lowest tax rate in the county for similarly situated municipalities. Please check our website at www.coralsprings.org to confirm the dates and times of the upcoming public hearings.

You do not need to wait in order to share your comments. Please email me at SBrook@coralsprings.org and the rest of the Commission to provide input and ask questions. While we have had several public meetings to discuss the budget, we have not had very many of you attend our meetings. I hope that your lack of attendance is a showing of support instead of apathy.

Through our recent meetings and workshops, we have also put forward a nominal increase in the fire assessment fees. We will continue to focus on public safety, education and our families while seeking revenue-generating opportunities that you can benefit from (such as sponsors of the Museum and the Center for The Arts). I am happy that we are able to maintain our no-layoff policy and do so without a reduction in the services we provide to you. Our proposed cuts are indicated below:

Eliminate the equivalent of 30 full-time positions through attrition;

Reduce overtime throughout the City;

Substantially reduce health care costs through employees' cooperation;

Restructure capital improvement and replacement programs;

Eliminate General Fund Subsidy of the Fire Fund;

Discontinue subsidizing the West Atlantic Library;

Reduce crossing guard assignments in excess of state requirements;

Reduce the museum subsidy;

Assign one SRO for every two elementary schools; and

Reduce spending on special events and committees.

While we will certainly feel some effects as we sharpen our spending and accommodate the demand for lowering your taxes, I am confident that your City will continue to provide you with exceptional service and responsiveness. I want to thank all of our employees, volunteers, management and my fellow Commissioners for this strong partnership in these tough economic times.

To help taxpayers make a well-informed decision this upcoming January, Broward County Property Appraiser Lori Parrish has posted a "Super Exemption" calculator on www.bcpa.net. This calculator will help homeowners determine how the proposed amendment would affect their property taxes. To access the calculator, click on Property Search and click Accept. You can access property records by name, address, property identification number or subdivision. At the top of the page, look for the "Super Exemption" calculator. The site lists the current assessments of property throughout Broward County, effective July 1, 2007.

The Broward County Property Appraiser's Office will also be available at the Northwest Regional Library to answer any questions relating to the proposed tax bills and the new property tax laws on Tuesday, September 4 from 4:30 to 6:30 pm. They will also be at Coral Square mall on Saturday, September 15 from 10 am to 1 pm by the Men's Macys. Special homeowner sign-up for Homestead, Senior and other property tax exemptions will also be available at the Coral Square Mall on September 15. Qualified residents 65 years of age or older as of January 1, 2007 may also apply for the additional Senior Exemption. Eligible seniors must have a total household income not to exceed $24,214 per year. For further information, please contact Kelly Brown at 954-357-6035.

I'd also like to encourage our residents to join Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward and make a difference in a child's life. As a Big Brother or Big Sister, you get to be a kid again for a few hours a month while giving a child the invaluable gift of your friendship. Bigs and Littles get together in a variety of locations, at different times of the day, and share in a multitude of activities. Volunteers can chose from two different types of mentoring. School-based mentoring allows Bigs and Littles to meet one-on-one in the classroom, school library or resource center. Bigs and Littles typically read together, play sports, play computer games, or simply talk about life. Community-based mentoring is the traditional Big Brothers Big Sisters relationship, where volunteers and kids get together on their own to share fun activities they both enjoy. Volunteer recruitment will be held on Tuesday, September 18, at 10 am at City Hall, 9551 West Sample Road. To register, contact Pat Mirabello at 954-344-5907. For more information on the program or to apply online, visit www.bbbsbroward.org. I urge you to consider this valuable program that helps all of our families!

For those of you with children, I hope their return to school has been smooth and enjoyable. We have some of the best schools in the state right here! Lastly, I would like to thank Parkland Life for once again agreeing to help raise money for the Community Chest of Coral Springs by promoting the 4th Annual Festival of the Flutes on Oct. 11 at the CS Marriott heron Bay and thank Commerce Bank for taking on the role of Title Sponsor. For more information, please look at www.festivaloftheflutes.org or www.pnanetwork.com.

Posted: Monday, Aug 6, 2007