Sunrise--Sunrise officials agreed Tuesday not to raise the overall property tax rate next year, but many families will probably face other fee increases city officials say are necessary to plug holes in the budget during a tight year.
"We're trying to hold the line," said Mayor Steve Feren.
Commissioners, voting 4 to 0, took the first formal step toward a 34.6 percent increase of the city's fire-rescue tax that officials say would cover 60 percent of nonmedical fire rescue costs. If approved, residents would pay $89.50 instead of $66.50 per year on their property tax bills beginning in November 2003.
After increasing summer camp fees from $370 to $600 last month, commissioners also agreed Tuesday to raise recreation fees from $30 to $55. The increase will go into effect Oct. 1.
City commissioner Sheila Alu opposed the move, saying she would not have agreed to raise fees for summer camp if she had been told other fee increases were coming.
"I don't understand why we're doing this to our families," Alu said.
Alu unsuccessfully challenged the mayor to allow her to change her previous vote raising camp fees, saying she voted on the issue without being given all of the information.
"As I've said in the past, this is probably the most difficult budget that we've had in a decade," City Manager Pat Salerno told commissioners.
Commissioners also agreed Tuesday to keep the city's overall property tax rate of $6.35 per $1,000 taxable assessed property valuation the same or lower during the 2003/2004 fiscal year.
The city will conduct public hearings at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 15 on the proposed fire-rescue rate increase and the property tax rate before making a final decision.
