BROWARD COUNTY, FL - Broward County Commissioners gave tentative approval to the proposed fiscal year 2020 budget at the first of two public hearings required by law. The recommended total budget, which includes tax supported and non-tax supported funds, is $5.8 billion.

The proposed total millage (property tax) rate will remain the same as fiscal year 2019.  The combined millage rate for FY20 is 5.6690 per thousand dollars of taxable value.  While the property tax rate remains unchanged, some property owners may see a tax increase as property values increase. 

The second public budget hearing takes place on September 24th.  The meeting begins at 5:01pm at the Broward Governmental Center, 115 S. Andrews Ave, Room 422 in Fort Lauderdale. 

The proposed budget includes funding for critical county priorities to address a growing population and improve the quality of life for all residents.  The FY20 budget provides additional resources for affordable housing, increased  public safety resources and training, emergency operations and preparedness including recovery from hurricanes, youth and apprenticeship programs, homelessness programs, animal care and adoption, expanded programs to assist the elderly, investments to expand Broward County’s parks programs and additional funds to support cultural programs and library assets.  Funding is also included for the maintenance and improvements of public buildings such as courthouses and libraries. 

Broward County is also implementing the transportation surtax program plan with the goal to relieve traffic congestion, improve transit services, expand the availability of multimodal transportation and create improved transportation connectivity countywide. 

The proposed budget also looks to the future with funding to support environmental resiliency and electric vehicle infrastructure. There are also plans to create a county-wide Innovation Unit to address a wide range of issues and recommend improvements to better serve residents and visitors. 

The increase in assessed property value for homestead taxpayers is capped at 1.9% for FY20 and homestead property owners will experience a slight increase in County taxes.  For other properties, a change in property value will determine how much the property taxes will change.  For questions about property value assessments or exemptions please visit www.bcpa.net  The last day to appeal with the Value Adjustment Board to challenge your assessment is September 18th.

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County taxes consist of less than one-quarter of the overall tax bill, which also includes city taxes, school district taxes and special taxing districts. The fiscal year 2020 budget takes effect on October 1, 2019.  

DATE:  September 10, 2019

CONTACT: Kimberly Maroe

Public Information Manager, Broward Commission

PHONE: 954-357-8053

EMAIL: kmaroe@broward.org