MUNICIPAL
Port St. Lucie Magazine 17
a sizable chunk of cash — $12.6 million
— in the city’s coffers. That is expected
to help tide the city over while property
values continue to ramp up as the effects
of the great recession finally recede. During
the recession years, property values
dropped by 51 percent.
“Our tax rate was raised from $5.62 per
$1,000 of assessed value, to $6.62 — an
increase of $1 for every $1,000. So, a property
valued at $100,000 after homestead
exemption would have to pay an additional
$100 a year,” explains city Communications
Director Ed Cunningham. “That
equates to an additional $8.33 a month.
As you know, other taxing authorities
also charge millage.”
Speakers said the county, fire district
and school district were also raising property
taxes.
Residents who spoke were especially
irked that the city manager had
recommended a smaller tax increase, but
the council opted for a more expensive
one, with one resident saying that the
council didn’t pay any attention to
suggestions by an informal citizens’
group that looked at the budget — which
annoyed several council members who
tried to rebut.
The city counts research laboratory >>
Expansion of the Riverwalk
on the North Fork of the St.
Lucie River is being contemplated
by the city, angering
some residents who say the
city should not be making
plans to spend more money.
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