Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners–Aug. 16

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Harm awaits the schools if amendment passes

Republicans have promised that if Florida voters approve a property tax-cutting amendment in January, education will not suffer. Next month’s special session to deal with a $1.1 billion deficit in this year’s state budget is a test of that promise, and the first signs aren’t good. School districts have been told that about $500 million of the budget cuts could come from education.

 

Property tax ‘portability’ gets frosty reception from tax panel

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A proposal to let homeowners take at least part of their existing tax breaks with them when they move received a frosty reception Thursday from part of a commission studying Florida’s tax structure.

 

Newsweek hails 7 Broward high schools

Newsweek magazine has named seven Broward high schools among the best in the nation for the 2005-06 school year.

 

Pembroke Pines claims it was overcharged $868,000 for charter schools

City officials on Wednesday launched a second attempt to force the Broward School Board to provide a bigger share of taxpayers’ money to help run the city’s seven A-rated charter schools.

 

County ponders 2.5% pay raise

Officials ask not to cut First Responder program

After two months of budget cuts and a threatened salary freeze because of property tax reform, Brevard County commissioners today will consider raises averaging 2.5 percent for more than 4,100 employees.

 

Hillsboro Beach exempt from recent property tax reform

Town officials spent two decades in office describing Hillsboro Beach as a small town with a handshake approach to government. This year, that small town feel could work against residents.

 

Notices feature tax bill savings

Almost 94 percent of homesteaded owners get lower assessments
 
Earlier this week, Kimberly Mills received a preliminary tax notice in the mail. She was pleasantly surprised at what she saw: a projected savings of more than $200 on her property taxes.

 

Mayor and staff a no-show at budget hearing

Debate over Miami-Dade’s upcoming budget was all but frozen Thursday afternoon when none of Mayor Carlos Alvarez’s top aides showed up at a key County Commission budget hearing.

 

Officials make mistake; taxpayers pay

Mistakes by Miami-Dade and Miami Beach officials mean higher taxes for people who live in Normandy Shores.

This fall, 350 or so homeowners in Normandy Shores will be charged higher taxes to cover their 24-hour security because of mistakes the Miami-Dade Property Appraiser’s Office and Miami Beach made last summer.

 

Rising food prices squeeze consumers

With whole milk costing 21 percent more than it did a year ago, Nereida Bernuth has developed an eagle eye for sales.

 

Broward boosts bus fares, vows better service

As they upped the prices bus riders pay, Broward commissioners promised to improves the transit system’s much-maligned service.

 

DCF to pay $6.45M judgment

A circuit court jury in Hillsborough County has awarded a $6.45 million judgment against the Florida Department of Children and Families to the families of two children who were treated by an improperly licensed counselor and convicted felon.