City of WPB Fire and School Taxes
August 9, 2018
Before you start reading this story I would suggest you have your 2017 tax bill at hand.
West Palm Beach recently issued a booklet “Community Workshop Fire Assessment Rate Resolution” and this booklet contains information such as what other cities and towns are charging residents for Fire Assessment Fee. Here is what the city isn’t telling you.
Riviera Beach, Lake Worth, Vero Beach, Stuart, Mangonia Park, Palm Beach Gardens, Royal Palm Beach, and Wellington along with most Florida cities don’t have a “Fire Assessment Fee.”
“This increase is necessary to generate additional revenue of approximately $2 million.”
At a commission meeting 3 years ago an item on the agenda was to transfer funds to a fire station that was in the process of being built, and reading “background” section it stated that a million dollars was spent on the “shell” of the building. The “shell” to me is pouring the floor, 4 walls and the roof. Staff Recommended Approval, so of course it passed. When I went to the podium to complain and read aloud what the resolution said the commissioners started turning pages to see what I was talking about. What member of “staff” was responsible for watching tax dollars, and why wasn’t the commissioners aware of what they were voting for until it was brought to their attention?
“This is not a tax, and therefore the assessment fees apply to all residential property, regardless of homestead exemption”
Non-ad Valorem Assessment: In Florida, the real estate tax bill is a combined notice of ad valorem taxes and non-ad valorem assessments. Non-ad valorem assessments are not based on value but a unit of measure determined by the levying authority. The assessment periods vary and may not be based on the calendar year. Examples of non-ad valorem assessments are stormwater utility, fire and rescue, and solid waste collections. Check your 2017 tax bill and you should see Solid Waste Authority of PBC $172.00 and City of WPB $25.00. The city wants to raise the assessment to $50.00.
“A 46% increase in call volume in the past 10 years”
I’m not surprised at the 46% increase due to the city’s over development, creating severe traffic congestion, angry drivers caught in gridlock, not listening to residents, while favoring developers to build whatever they want, wherever they want. Our elected officials created a disaster and don’t know what to do about it except allow more development such as the OBD (Okeechobee Business District) and Related 25 story tower on Flagler, where residents voted twice no buildings over 5 stories. Two commissioners James and Ryan are hoping for the mayors seat in 2019. I will be the next mayor of WPB before either of them, and I’m not even running.
“In 2008, the City Commission adopted Ordinance No. 4141-08, establishing an annual recurring Fire Services special assessment program for properties within the City, to fund the assessable cost of providing fire services, excluding Emergency Medical Services (EMS)”
Have an emergency, need an ambulance, it will cost you between $700.00 to $850.00 plus $12.00 mile. Read the charges and see what the city collected over a five year period. The total is $15,625,633.00 and does not include 2017 where the opioid epidemic is in full swing, so I assume that would be the $850.00 charge. Passed under Mayor Muoio’s watch.
I have an idea. Instead of giving developers millions in tax incentives to build in WPB how about Staff Recommend Approval for a developers fee of $100,000.00 for every floor built over 5 stories? That will buy a few new fire trucks. Problem solved. Your welcome Mayor Muoio and commissioners. A public hearing will be held 8/27/18 @ 5:00 PM, please try and attend and let the commissioners know your thoughts.
School Taxes Local and State.
School Board is asking voters to approve a new tax to insure children are safe in schools. This will be the 3 request in 4 years, and may be placed on Novembers ballot. Read story below:
The median price of homes currently listed in Florida is $294,900. The latest proposal would add $1 to every $1,000 in taxable value or an additional $295.00. Last year my taxes for School Local was $208.50, School State was $356.48 for a total of $564.98. I have homestead and senior discounts. God help those who don’t.
I want Teachers (Which make all other professions possible.) and children to be able to attend schools and their only fear is not having their homework done. I am in favor of having law enforcement in all schools to insure their safety. I know someone has to pay for it so here’s my idea. Every hand gun manufactured and sold in Florida pay a gun tax of $500.00. Every gun normally used by the United States Military pay a gun tax of $10,000.00 ea. If the NRA wants to do business in the State of Florida they must pay 10,000,000.00/year.
The Florida Lottery began operation on January 12, 1988 when Tallahassee politicians told voters the money was needed for teachers pay, new school construction, and enough books and supplies so every child would benefit and thrive.
Well, the lottery has been going strong for 30 years with untold billions collected, and pennies on the dollars going toward it’s intended purpose.
After 30 years we should be graduating Einsteins not having kids murdering other kids and teachers in a classroom.
Do you ever get tired of politicians using kids and jobs when they pull on your heartstrings for more money.
Latest joke was voting for medical marijuana to help cancer stricken children and seniors.
Well we passed it, and not with my vote, and now the hell with medical marijuana, their already working on recreational marijuana.
They tell you what you want to hear, get it passed and on the books and the new business thrives and once again businesses are born, and leaders still lie.
Let the people who created the problem pay to fix it. That would be developers, gun manufactures and the NRA.