This year Lauderhill Annual Budget Workshops are scheduled for July 10 and 11, starting at 2 PM, at the City Hall. During those days, the Commission will review the entire budget which was released to them on July 2. In that budget, the City Manager reflected the 9% mandatory reduction in property taxes ($3.8 million out of an expected allocation of $16 million). The proposed ad valorem tax rate is proposed to be reduced from $6.02 to $4.841 per $1000 of taxable value. The budget took into account all of the requests for funding from the prior pre-budget workshops, but the overriding theme was budget cuts required by the Legislature. Therefore little was provided to address these requests, unless previously planned.
In order to present a balanced budget, with the intent of not laying off any employees, several proposed severe cuts were made in the budget. No positions which are presently vacant will be filled, including in public safety. Right now there are 5 vacancies in the Fire Department. There was the hope of hiring 5 more police officers and 4 Community Service Aides this year, but funding is not in the budget at this time. To help secure the city, School Resource Officers were eliminated and put on road patrol.
Parks and Leisure services will be downsized, with proposed reductions in the hours of operations. The Business Center will also incur a reduction in operating times, including the cashier's booth and utility payment processing. Internally, reduction in force will include net changes of 4 full-time positions and 7 part-time positions.
In the proposed budget, funding for Hispanic Fest, July 4, Blazzfest, Trinidad/Tobago Independent Day, Holiday Concert and Spring Fling have been eliminated. If funds becomes available, an attempt will be made to reinstate July 4. The remaining events have a reduction in budget funding, including Unite-A-Fest. The standard was that events must be significantly, if not fully, self supporting. The East Side Library is unfunded, however due to the County Library Bond Issue, the County could pick up this cost to continue it, and the County is required to replace it with a new Library at the Central Regional Park paid for by county bond issue. No funds are provided non-profit community service organizations, such as Lauderhill Chamber of Commerce, Area Agency on Aging, Family Central and Women in Distress. Grant funds to schools the city gives out for education were also eliminated. While the Commissioners are proposed to keep their Aides, the Mayor has given up his though he has requested a much smaller allocation to provide for temp help since he has no staff to assist with any of his work.
The budget does not provide for capital improvements, except that which is part of the 2005 GO Capital Improvement Bond approved by voters, or funded by a specific bond issue. Salary and benefits costs account for 80% of the total General Fund Budget. Salary and benefit increases are primarily the result of collective bargaining agreements. Debt payments are $6 million. Adjustment in several user fee categories is recommended. Adjustments can be made in the budget at the time of the workshops.
This budget presents a strain to the city in providing the services it demands. However, if the funding is unavailable to pay for services, then the services must be cut. In January, the public will have the right to vote on a Constitutional Amendment to provide a mandatory reduction in more property taxes. If passed, this will present a much more significant problem to the city, and cuts will be much more severe. Several State Legislators who voted to put this to a public vote are now recommending the public to vote against it. They are State Rep. Jack Seiler, State Rep. Ari Porth, and State Rep. Kiar. Others may as well, but have not notified us at this time.
After the workshops, a follow up report will be provided.
In order to present a balanced budget, with the intent of not laying off any employees, several proposed severe cuts were made in the budget. No positions which are presently vacant will be filled, including in public safety. Right now there are 5 vacancies in the Fire Department. There was the hope of hiring 5 more police officers and 4 Community Service Aides this year, but funding is not in the budget at this time. To help secure the city, School Resource Officers were eliminated and put on road patrol.
Parks and Leisure services will be downsized, with proposed reductions in the hours of operations. The Business Center will also incur a reduction in operating times, including the cashier's booth and utility payment processing. Internally, reduction in force will include net changes of 4 full-time positions and 7 part-time positions.
In the proposed budget, funding for Hispanic Fest, July 4, Blazzfest, Trinidad/Tobago Independent Day, Holiday Concert and Spring Fling have been eliminated. If funds becomes available, an attempt will be made to reinstate July 4. The remaining events have a reduction in budget funding, including Unite-A-Fest. The standard was that events must be significantly, if not fully, self supporting. The East Side Library is unfunded, however due to the County Library Bond Issue, the County could pick up this cost to continue it, and the County is required to replace it with a new Library at the Central Regional Park paid for by county bond issue. No funds are provided non-profit community service organizations, such as Lauderhill Chamber of Commerce, Area Agency on Aging, Family Central and Women in Distress. Grant funds to schools the city gives out for education were also eliminated. While the Commissioners are proposed to keep their Aides, the Mayor has given up his though he has requested a much smaller allocation to provide for temp help since he has no staff to assist with any of his work.
The budget does not provide for capital improvements, except that which is part of the 2005 GO Capital Improvement Bond approved by voters, or funded by a specific bond issue. Salary and benefits costs account for 80% of the total General Fund Budget. Salary and benefit increases are primarily the result of collective bargaining agreements. Debt payments are $6 million. Adjustment in several user fee categories is recommended. Adjustments can be made in the budget at the time of the workshops.
This budget presents a strain to the city in providing the services it demands. However, if the funding is unavailable to pay for services, then the services must be cut. In January, the public will have the right to vote on a Constitutional Amendment to provide a mandatory reduction in more property taxes. If passed, this will present a much more significant problem to the city, and cuts will be much more severe. Several State Legislators who voted to put this to a public vote are now recommending the public to vote against it. They are State Rep. Jack Seiler, State Rep. Ari Porth, and State Rep. Kiar. Others may as well, but have not notified us at this time.
After the workshops, a follow up report will be provided.
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