Broward passes FY10 budget with no tax increase; big loss in arts, services

The Broward County Board of County Commissioners passed the 2010 budget without raising property taxes.  The $3.3 billion budget decreased by $314 million compared to the 2009 budget.  This represents an 8.7% decrease from the current year budget.

The non-voted countywide millage rate in Broward County remains at 4.8889.  Owners of homestead property purchased within the last several years will, on average, pay $264 less than this year and owners of residential property without a homestead exemption are expected to pay, on average, $215 less than in the current year.  Property taxes should remain virtually the same for owners of homestead properties who have been long time residents.

Closing a $109-million dollar gap in the taxpayer funded general fund meant that the Commission had to make some cuts in services.  Most Broward County parks will be closed two days a week and libraries will close on Sundays.  Mandatory five day furloughs for all Broward employees will be implemented and approximately 53 employees were laid off.   Some full time employees were moved to part time positions.  All county departments reduced their budgets and a number of administrative consolidations were made to further reduce costs. The arts community, despite impassioned pleas, still saw a million dollars in cuts, though

Commissioner Sue Gunzberger said the arts cuts were due to a decrease in sales taxes on certain items that were alloted to the arts community that caused the decrease. The commission will also be re-evaluating the aquatic program and the horse/stable program at Tradewinds Park to make profitable or consider privatization.

Broward Mayor Stacy Ritter announced tonight that a long running substance abuse program that provides treatment for inmates in the Broward County jail will continue though out the next year.  The 30-day drug treatment program will be funded with approximately $800,000 from Broward County and BSO trust funds that are specifically designated for substance abuse.  The Sheriff had planned on cutting the program as part of the $21-million in cuts that were made in the BSO budget.

Commissioners passed the budget  7-2.  Broward County Commissioners  Kristin Jacobs and Josephus Eggelletion, Jr. were opposed.

In other Commission news:

Broward Commissioners enacted an ordinance that bans sexual offenders and predators from living within 2500 feet of parks, playgrounds, schools, bus stops, and daycare centers.  Similar ordinances are in place in the majority of Broward County cities.   A large number of sexual predators / offenders were moving into unincorporated communities such as Broadview Park—where no residency restrictions were in place.

Broward Commissioners voted to pick up a portion of the health care costs for full time  employees who were moved to part time positions as a result of budget cuts.  Federal stimulus money will be used to cover a portion of those costs for nine months.