Village of Indiantown hosts hearing about tax rates

Proposed budget and tentative millage rates come into focus

Posted 9/10/21

A public hearing focused on the adoption of a tentative millage rate for the levy of ad valorem taxation and the 2021-2022 proposed budget.

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Village of Indiantown hosts hearing about tax rates

Proposed budget and tentative millage rates come into focus

Posted

INDIANTOWN – The first of two public hearings for the Village of Indiantown was held Sept. 8 at 6 p.m. The adoption of a tentative millage rate for the levy of ad valorem taxation and the proposed budget for the fiscal year 2021-2022 were discussed. The final hearing will provide the adoption and specify the effective date for millage rates.

The discussion got underway with village manager, Howard Brown, explaining that property taxes made up about 58% of the general fund budget. The tentative proposal of 1.6304 mills for FY 21-22 would generate a net of $3.1 million.

The total fund for the budget, which includes water and sewer, the community trust fund, the general fund, and the capital improvement plan (CIP) monies, is $7.8 million, according to Brown. He indicated that about 40% of the village revenues come from the ad valorem taxes. They represent a little over $3 million, while charges for services represent a little over $2 million and inner government revenue adds another $1 million. With other permit fees and government fees, these revenues add $5.3 million to the annual budget, according to Brown.

The village manager said operating expenses of the village consumed 26% of the funds. He slated personnel, operating services, fringe benefits and roll-ups as primary items. He indicated that the proposed budget included the salaries, benefits, and a 3% cost of living increase for the 31 village employees, seven of whom are water and sewer employees. The village core services: code enforcement, administrative services, the Teen Pregnancy Prevention (TPP) Grant payment, the Florida Power and Light Grant agreement payment, the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), additional holiday decorations, new vehicles for the parks and water departments, transfers to the CIP fund, $5,000 for the State of the Village Address, and contingencies are all included in the proposed budget.

Brown said he expected expenditures on capital improvements to run around $351,000, consisting of the Booker Park Fire Station, Post Family Park, Big Mound Park, sidewalks and roadway repairs throughout the year. According to the village manager, many of the projects will be funded by the American Rescue Fund, which Indiantown received the first half of the allocated $1.7 million Friday, Sept. 3. He said the other half the funds would arrive on or after Sept. 3 2022.

Brown denoted that the approved budget would be printed in the Treasure Coast Palm Stuart News Saturday, Sept. 18, and the recordings of two previous budget workshops were on the village website. Likewise, the hearings and other village documentation are available at www.indiantownfl.gov for community consumption.

Following Brown’s presentation, Mayor Janet Hernandez opened the floor for public comment. There were no public comments. The approval of the proposed budget and ad valorem taxation received unanimous agreement from the council members.

The final budget hearing will be held at 6 p.m. on Sept. 23 at the Village Hall located 15516 SW Osceola Street, Indiantown, Florida.

taxes, public hearing, Indiantown, fiscal year, proposed budget

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