Last modified 9/13/2008 - 7:37 am
Originally created 091308
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By DREW DIXON, Shorelines
NEPTUNE BEACH - The City Council gave unanimous tentative approval to a proposed 2008-09 city budget Monday that would mean a 3 percent increase in the property tax rate.
The final public hearing on the proposed $10.5 million spending plan and the city budget is set for Monday, Sept. 22. If approved, the plan would take effect Oct. 1. The proposed budget would mean a slight increase over the current $10.41 million spending plan.
Neptune Beach's proposed tax rate for 2008-09 is $2.72 for every $1,000 of assessed property value, up from the current rate of $2.64. A property owner with a house worth $200,000 and a $50,000 state homestead exemption would pay $408 in annual city property taxes, excluding other taxing authorities.
Despite the proposed property tax increase, City Manager Jim Jarboe said there was little feedback from residents during Monday's public hearing.
While there is a proposed modest increase in the tax rate, Jarboe said that was adjusted to offset lost state revenues due to a state referendum approved by voters in January. The measure limits the amount that homeowners must pay in state property taxes, leading to the need for budget adjustments at the local level.
Total property taxes paid by Neptune Beach residents will still be less than they were paying before the referendum because of the additional homestead exemptions under the state measure, Jarboe said.
The highest-profile element to the proposed Neptune Beach budget is the reduction in staff levels to the eventual target of 72 city employees. Most of the reductions have been through voluntary attrition.
Drew Dixon can also be reached at (904) 249-4947, ext. 6313.
