Broward County Commission Public Hearing on FY2025 Millage Rates and Budget - September 5, 2024
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Broward County Commission Public Hearing on FY2025 Millage Rates and Budget - September 5, 2024
The Broward County Board of County Commissioners held the first of two required public hearings on September 5, 2024, to receive public comment and deliberate on proposed millage rates, budgets, and special assessments for fiscal year 2025. The total proposed county budget is $7.778 billion, a decrease of $117.6 million from FY24, driven largely by a reduction in capital spending. The general fund is proposed at $1.924 billion, an increase of $103.9 million. The aggregate millage rate of 5.6722 represents a 9.49% increase in property taxes compared to the rollback rate. The session featured extensive debate over the Broward Sheriff's Office (BSO) budget request and votes on tentative millage rates and budgets for multiple districts.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Don Pritchard (President, IUPA Local 6020) spoke on behalf of all BSO bargaining units, stating that the budget has been neglected for years and requesting support for the sheriff's budget to address staffing and compensation issues.
- Ryan Smith (BSO Deputy) expressed that deputies are lagging behind adjacent departments in pay and that the cost of living in the tri-county area is forcing many to live far away.
- Anastasia Robinson thanked the commission for allocating $500,000 for eviction diversion, noting they had requested $2.7 million, and asked that the funds go directly to Coast to Coast Legal Aid.
- Lieutenant Joseph Lunga (FOP Detention Lieutenants) highlighted a staffing crisis in the jails with 363 forced overtime shifts in three months, stating vacancies are severely high and the current path is unsustainable.
- Vincent Graham (FOP representative, BSO veteran deputy) requested a salary study to ensure competitive pay, particularly for detention deputies, and asked for future sit-downs between the commission and sheriff.
- Jeff Hittleman (Coast to Coast Legal Aid) thanked the commission for supporting the eviction defense program, calling it a win-win solution for tenants and landlords.
- Barbeth Foster (Community Justice Project) thanked the commission for eviction diversion funding, requested it be a direct allocation to Coast to Coast, and urged including a community outreach component through Florida Rising.
- James Dean (citizen) expressed concern about rising property taxes and condo assessments, asking for belt-tightening to keep taxes under control.
- Shamel Lewis criticized BSO's budget request as unrealistic and called for more transparency in BSO spending, urging reinvestment in housing and mental health.
- Jeffrey Greenstein (Hallandale Beach resident) questioned why a tax rate increase is needed when assessed values are already rising substantially.
- Mailing Ho Shing (Parkland shooting survivor) opposed giving 93% of the county budget to BSO, advocating for community resources and holistic care instead.
- Mike Atkinson (also known as Miko) argued that too much power and funding go to BSO, while homelessness and mental health needs are neglected.
- Mark Mitchell supported the eviction prevention program but criticized BSO's 37% budget increase request, calling the agency wasteful and unaccountable.
- German Beard (attorney, labor, DSA co-chair) noted that the Broward Human Rights Section is underfunded and unable to respond to complaints, while hundreds of millions go to law enforcement.
- Reverend Jesse Scipio (representing Boulevard Gardens and BMSD) spoke about the need for funding to address homelessness and unsafe conditions in unincorporated areas, asking for a dedicated police presence.
- Claudia Norvilleis (first-time homeowner in Roosevelt Gardens) reported her property taxes jumping from $1,400 to an estimated $8,000, calling the increase excessive.
- Sheriff Gregory Tony addressed the board, defending his budget request, stating the commission arbitrarily added a 7% increase without proper notice, violating state statute. He argued that 5420 million of BSO's budget covers county responsibilities (jails, communications, fire rescue) and emphasized that cutting those would leave 1,500+ law enforcement positions unfilled. He stated BSO needs an additional $70 million just to maintain current operations, not the 93% increase portrayed. He also noted deputies commuting from Port St. Lucie and sleeping in their cars.
Discussion Items
- Budget Overview: County Administrator Monica presented the FY25 budget: total $7.778 billion, operating budget up $307.7 million (driven by Port Everglades, transit, public works, resilient environment), capital budget down $1.193 billion, debt service down $32.9 million. General fund increase of $103.9 million includes $49.3 million for BSO. Constitutional officer budgets were also summarized.
- BSO Budget Debate: Commissioner Geller questioned Sheriff Tony on priorities, noting the sheriff's August 22 letter requested $59 million for three items (detention deputy raises, helicopters). The sheriff countered that he needed $70 million more just for baseline operations, and the commission's $50 million offer would only cover two crisis areas, leaving other deficits. Commissioner Udine called for compromise, suggesting the sheriff prioritize. Sheriff Tony argued that state law requires him to submit a comprehensive budget and the commission must review and amend it; he refused to negotiate against himself.
- Communication and Process: Commissioner Lamar Fisher asked why Sheriff Tony had not met directly with County Administrator Sapiro. The sheriff said a previous meeting was canceled because he wanted to record it; Sapiro clarified she did not refuse a meeting, only objected to recording. Commissioner Fur urged both to meet without recording to allow open brainstorming, and the sheriff agreed.
- Helicopters and Capital: Commissioner Lamar Fisher expressed concern that $15 million allocated for one replacement helicopter was used as deposits on four helicopters without a long-term plan. Sheriff Tony said the contract is contingent on funding and that he had presented a strategic plan.
- Detention Staffing: Commissioner Udine noted the county already budgets for full staffing; filling 177 vacancies would cost approximately $26.5 million, but some of that is offset by overtime savings. The request for a $24 million salary range adjustment for detention deputies is separate.
- Overall Revenue Constraints: Several commissioners emphasized that total revenue growth is only 5.7%, while BSO's recommended increase is 7.23% and county agencies get 4.7%. They said raising taxes is not an option and that other services (housing, mental health, parks, libraries) must be funded.
Key Outcomes
- Votes on Tentative Millage Rates and Budgets:
- General County Purposes (Resolution 2024-561 and 2024-562): Motion to adopt tentative millage rate (5.6690, debt service included) passed 6-2 (Commissioners Udine and Rogers opposed). Motion to adopt tentative budget passed 6-2 (same opposition).
- Broward Municipal Services District (Resolutions 2024-563 and 2024-564): Adopted unanimously (8-0) for both millage rate and budget.
- Fire Rescue Municipal Services District (Resolutions 2024-565 and 2024-566): Adopted 8-0.
- Street Lighting Subdistrict (Resolutions 2024-567 and 2024-568): Adopted 8-0.
- Fire Assessment (Resolution 2024-569): Rates remain same; adopted 8-0.
- Garbage & Trash Collection Assessment (Resolution 2024-570): Rate increases from $350 to $370 for single-family and multi-family under 9 units; adopted 8-0.
- Water Control District No. 2, 3, 4/Subdistricts, and Cocomar Unit Area No. 1 (Resolutions 2024-571 through 2024-578): All adopted 8-0.
- Next Steps: The final public hearing to adopt the budget and tax rates is scheduled for September 17, 2024. The county administrator and sheriff are directed to negotiate and bring back a proposed compromise. The commission expects no increase above approximately 7-8% for BSO and will not rely on reserves for recurring costs.
Meeting Transcript
Ready to ready to start. Okay, good evening, everybody. I'm Nan Rich, and I am Mayor of Broward County. Can't take him anywhere. God. Okay, yeah, I know. Trying to round up the crowd. Okay. Tonight the Broward County Board of County Commissioners will conduct public hearings on the proposed millage rates, budgets, and special assessments that will support county services during fiscal year 2025. This is the first of two public hearings as required by law. The purpose of the hearing is to receive comments regarding the county's budget, tax rates, and special assessments, and to provide information on the budget and proposed amendments. The public hearings will be conducted in three sections. The first section will include public hearings on countywide and Broward Municipal Services District Area Millage Rates and Budgets. The second section includes public hearings on proposed special assessments for fire and garbage collection in the Broward Municipal Services area. The third section will include public hearings on the millage rates and budget for the county's dependent water control districts. An agenda listing all the items to be discussed and the order of the items is available at the entrance. If you are interested in addressing the Board of County Commissioners about any uh item on the agenda, please register with the county staff member at the entrance of the commission chambers. County staff is also available at the entrance to answer questions about the county's budget and taxes. If anyone has questions about property value assessment or exemptions, the property appraiser's office staff is available at the entrance as well and can be reached at 954 357 6830. Marty Care at VCPA.net or in room 11 on the first floor of this building from 8 to 5 Monday through Friday. The last day to file an appeal with the value adjustment board to challenge your assessment is September 18th. If anyone has questions about the value adjustment board process, value adjustment board staff are available at the entrance also to discuss. With that introduction, let's begin. The fiscal year 2025 tax rate certified for the notice of proposed property taxes result in a 9.49% aggregate increase in property taxes when compared with the taxes generated from the aggregate rolled back rate. The rollback rate generates approximately the same amount of taxes as the prior fiscal year, plus taxes generated from new buildings added to the tax roll. The aggregate millage rate of 5.6722 as compared to an aggregate rolled back rate of 5.1804, includes all advalorum taxes levied by the county and its dependent districts except for voted debt service taxes. This aggregate millage rate is the basis for the state required advertisements concerning the budget and taxes. The rollback millage rate and the percentage change in property taxes are based on the assessment roles certified by the property appraiser. Countywide millage and budget. The budget here public hearing is open on the general county millage rate and budget. The proposed millage rate for general county purposes as advertised on the notice of proposed property taxes exclusive of debt service is 5.6389, which represents a 9.53 percent increase in property taxes as compared to a rollback rate of 5.1481. The proposed millage rate for voted debt service is 0.0301. When combining the above two elements, the proposed millage rate for all general county purposes, including debt service, is 5.6690, the same as last year. Monica. Thank you, Madam Mayor. Today we're presenting a budget for fiscal 25, totaling $7.778 billion, which is $117.6 million less than fiscal year 24. The operating budgets reflect an increase in the amount of $307.7 million dollars, largely due to increases in Port Everglades, transit, public works, and resilient environment departments. It also reflects a decrease in the capital budget of 1.193 billion dollars, largely due to the budgeting in the prior year of the Forensic Science Center and a lower tax surtax budget in fiscal year 25 due to Broward Commuter Rail South and large airport related projects also budgeted in fiscal year 24. Finally, there is a decrease in the debt service budget of $32.9 million. The general fund budget proposed for fiscal year 25 totals $1.924 billion, which is an increase of $103.9 million. The general fund regional Broward Sheriff's Office recommended budget increased by $49.3 million. As referenced in the August 30th budget memo, adjustments from the recommended budget were made, transferring funds from operating expenses, administration, community services and professional standards to personnel services and detention and community programs of 24.4 million dollars and to capital outlay for helicopters and administration. Community services and professional standards of 24.2 million dollars. These adjustments reflect the sheriff's priorities as communicated in his letter of August 22nd, 2024 to the Board of County Commissioners, as well as commissioner feedback and discussion at the budget workshop on August 27th, 2024. In addition, for the other constitutional officers, the property appraisers office recommended budget increases by 1.9 million dollars. The supervisor of elections budget decreases by $5.3 million million due to different elections planned in fiscal year 25 compared to fiscal year 24. The clerk of courts budget increases by 0.4 million dollars, and the budget for nine months of the tax collector is $8.6 million. That begins in January of 2025. Additionally, tax increment payments for municipal redevelopment continue to grow due to an increase in the tax roles, which is an increase of $9.2 million compared to fiscal year 24. Other recommended changes for the coming year are an increase in mental health for jail diversion of 0.5 million dollars and an addition of 0.5 million dollars for legal assistance for eviction prevention, an increase of $1.5 million for cultural local sponsorship activities, and $5 million for the county share of the Central and Southern Flood Florida flood resiliency study.
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