FYI: Miami Beach’s Property Taxes are Being Lowered

While the County and other communities speak of raising taxes and drastically cutting services, property owners in Miami Beach will see a lower tax rate for the coming fiscal year. The City of Miami Beach Commission set the millage rate for our general operating fund at our meeting this month. This is the "Multiplier" used to calculate the tax on your property applied to the number the property appraiser determines your property is worth (minus any homestead exemptions or caps imposed by the "Save our Homes" initiative.) While the Administration asked to keep the millage flat or the same as last year at 6.0909, the Commission voted to reduce it by .2 mills or 5.8909. This represents 4 million dollars in savings to our residents and property owners!

     Since fiscal year 06/07, the millage rate has decreased dramatically for our general fun obligations. This reduction from 7.1920 in FY 06/07 to the proposed rate for this year represents almost 20% reduction.

     While the millage will be going down, property values are up almost 7% from last year, to a total taxable value of the City hovering just below $25 billion dollars.

     That, combined with a strong tourism economy, and potential savings from recently negotiated union contracts allow us to keep your taxes as low as possible without making City less safe, or less clean.

     That being said, over the next several weeks, Staff will need to close a budget gap of close to $9 million dollars. I have the highest confidence that this can be done without affecting the services, or raising the fees of our Parks programs, or services to our seniors and other fragile populations in our community. I believe a little bit of belt tightening is good, especially when the end result with benefit our residents.

     Mayor Matti Herrera Bower cares about improving the quality of life for everyone in the City of Miami Beach. With your help, Matti Herrera Bower will continue to work to make our city a great place to live, work and visit. A vote for Matti Herrera Bower for Commissioner Group III is a vote for the City of Miami Beach's future!

On Tuesday, November 5th, Please vote to elect 

Matti Herrera Bower for Commissioner, Group III.