Page 11 - Boca Club News - September '24

Boca Club News, Page 11

Government
Government

Mayor’s Update:

How Your City Government is Saving You Money

Scott Singer is the 35th Mayor of Boca A top priority as mayor is to preserve more of your We continue to fund public safety initiatives that
Raton and was re-elected in 2023. A hard-earned dollars while providing outstanding services keep our city safe. This year’s budget includes adding
South Florida native, attorney and with one of the lowest millage rates of any full-service a homeless liaison to the police department. We also
small business owner, Scott and his city in Florida. pay close attention to our infrastructure needs and have
wife Bella live in Broken Sound with With a millage rate of 3.68 per $1,000 of assessed property allocated 8% of the property tax revenue to fund the
their two children. You may also want value our residents pay less than half the millage rate than Capital Improvements Program.
to stay in touch on social media at @ property owners do in West Palm Beach or Miami. Our The city also has plans to add programs to bolster our
scottsingerusa. As always, please reach millage rate is lower than our neighboring cities of Delray offerings, including public arts, a neighborhood street tree
out by email to ssinger@bocaraton-fl. Beach, Deerfield Beach, Boynton Beach, Ft. Lauderdale, program, a gopher tortoise preserve and a traffic mobility
gov with any thoughts or requests. Honored to serve you! Hollywood and a slew of other comparable ones. and connectivity division.
As the City Council advances both the short-term goals Our city is mindful that the economic climate has
and long-term vision for the City of Boca Raton, we prioritize presented some challenges. With persistent inflation and
passing a budget that promotes a healthy financial plan and rising costs the city is aware of the pinch many are feeling
builds on our stellar reputation of maintaining one of the lowest in their pocketbooks.
millage rates in the state. One way we keep prices low for our residents is by
In September the city is tasked with adopting its budget. continuing to offer one of the lowest water and sewer
Unlike Washington D.C., our budgets are always balanced and rates in the State of Florida. In fact, some of the nearby
we maintain healthy reserves. With our eye on the future we cities mentioned above have millage rates four or five
remain dedicated to providing the unparalleled quality of life times higher than ours! We keep a close eye on keeping
that our residents need, expect, deserve and receive. costs low and money in your pockets – where it belongs.
Our residents have not faced a property tax increase in The city is also sensitive that, with such high land
over a decade, and I am proud that while I have been mayor values and little available land, a solution to the continued
and a City Council member, the rate has only decreased. I demand for homes for professionals and employees is
have repeatedly voted foar consistent reductions and never for a regional effort. I’ve had discussions with mayors of
an increase – all while maintaining a strong financial reserve nearby cities on what we can do collaboratively to address
in the event of a natural disaster or economic downturn. this need, which employers have cited as a key issue.
As assessed property values continue their rising streak We will work on this regional problem with regional
Boca Raton continues to hold the highest total property solutions.
values of any city in Palm Beach County. Even though Boca Raton residents won’t be assessed
Because of the impressive increase in property values any additional taxes, the next budget includes some
in Boca Raton over the past several years taxable property additional programming that will help meet the City
values have grown by 50% in just five years. Council’s strategic focus areas.
With robust assessed property values, residents who This year marks a significant milestone for Boca Raton
have the homestead exemption (most of us) will be taxed as we celebrate our Centennial. As we celebrate our rich
at an increasingly lower rate compared to the rise in our legacy we are also budgeting and planning for an even
property values. more successful future.

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