St. Lucie taxes falling 65 cents per $1,000

By REBECCA PANOFF
FORT PIERCE — St. Lucie County Commissioners ended a week-long budget review Monday with a decision to slightly reduce the county property tax rate — by 65 cents per $1,000 of taxable value.

Rather than rolling back the tax rate more, commissioners also decided to spend about $27.5 million in surplus tax money on various projects.

Commissioners called the budget a balance between meeting the fiscal needs of the county and maintaining residents' quality of life.

"I think this budget does both of those things," Commissioner Joe Smith said.
Commissioners had said repeatedly they wanted to decrease the tax rate and had more tax money than originally budgeted because county property values jumped more than 37 percent this year.

Even with the cut in the tax rate, many residents and business owners will see an increase in their tax bill because their property value went up.

For city residents, commissioners reduced the tax rate from $7.24 to $6.59 per $1,000 of taxable value.

Residents in the unincorporated county will see a slightly lower cut because of a slight increase in the stormwater tax for stormwater and drainage projects. The unincorporated tax rate will go from $7.24 to $6.63.

Commissioners will vote at 9 a.m. today on the proposed tax rate and the final 2006-07 budget. Public hearings will be conducted Sept. 7 and 14.

Commissioner Paula Lewis said she felt comfortable with the amount the county is cutting, but said it's up to other governmental bodies to decrease their tax rates so residents actually feel the cut.

"I can't make up for the fact everyone has not taken a cut," she said.
While cutting the tax rate, commissioners also decided to use the surplus money to provide the remaining funding to build a new Emergency Operations Center, for a building at the Oxbow Center and for an increase in New Horizons' budget. About $1.2 million of the surplus will be used to fund criminal justice programs.

County officials last Monday did not have a final total budget figure.

At a glance

For a house valued at $250,000 with a $25,000 Homestead Exemption, the cut in county tax rates means:
• City residents will save $145.59.
• Residents in the unincorporated county will save $137.52.
• Despite the rate cut, residents actually may pay more in taxes because property values have increased
Key projects funded with surplus cash
• $900,000 for Emergency Operations Center.
• $1.6 million for entrance at Courthouse complex (called the monumental staircase).
• $1.5 million for first phase of Old Courthouse renovations.