Broward County, FL - Broward County Commissioners have given final approval to the proposed Fiscal Year 2021 budget after the second and final of two public budget hearings as required by law. 

The recommended total budget for FY21 is $5.3 billion, which reflects a decrease in the operating budget of $123.9 million and a decrease in the capital budget of $235.1 million. The proposed FY21 budget is cumulatively $482.4 million less than FY20.

The proposed total millage (property tax) rate will remain the same as fiscal year 2020. The combined millage rate for FY21 is 5.6690 per thousand dollars of taxable value. The certified tax roll increases 5.3 percent when compared to the tax roll used for the adopted FY20 budget.

The FY2021 General Fund operating budget, excluding reserves, increases by $27.4 million, primarily due to the increase in the certified property tax roll. The General Fund budgets for Constitutional Officers, including the Broward Sheriff’s Office, Property Appraiser and Supervisor of Elections, increase by $13.6 million. The budget also includes the final year of funding for the computer aided mass appraisal system to improve public services at the Property Appraiser’s Office. Mandated tax increment payments for municipal redevelopment continues to grow due to the increase in property values. Continuing the efforts begun in FY18, there is $5.6 million for Affordable Housing funded from expiring Community Redevelopment Agency districts.

The County budget funds a variety of quality public services such as emergency operations and preparedness, public safety and training, animal care and adoption, programs to assist children, families and the elderly, parks and recreation, homelessness and money needed to maintain public buildings and libraries. This year the voter approved Mobil Advancement Program began projects to relieve traffic congestion, improve transit services and expand connectivity countywide.

Broward Commissioners noted that important budget priorities for Fiscal Year 2021 include continued public services for those in need, full funding for affordable housing, animal care and adoption, youth organizations such as Junior Achievement, and adequate staffing at local libraries. 

County taxes make up less than one quarter of the overall property tax bill. The increase in assessed value for homestead property owners is capped at 2.3% for FY21 and, generally, homestead taxpayers will experience a slight increase in County taxes. For other properties, the change in the assessed value of each property will determine how much the property taxes will change.

The new Fiscal Year 2021 begins on October 1, 2020.