‘Nifty Thrifty Ideas’
By Bari Auerbach

As a result of eminent tax reform, cities are contemplating budget cuts – but luckily, here in Sunny Isles Beach, nearly $1 billion added to the city’s tax rolls thanks to new construction will help minimize the impact. But if the city does have to be a little more thrifty, here are some nifty ways everyone can pitch in to save some municipal money...

*Make a donation...Imagine if every Sunny Isles Beach resident made a generous donation to help bolster the city’s budget! In fact, since the amount shaved off your property tax bill will probably be pretty minimal, why not just opt to bequeath it to the city? The write off for the donation could actually wind up saving you more!

*Go gardening...To keep Sunny Isles Beach looking so beautiful, it must cost a pretty penny for landscaping services – but if residents with a green thumb were nice enough to volunteer their time, just think how much the city could save. I’m sure there are a lot of retirees around town who have the time and talent to plant some nice flower beds along Collins Avenue. And I bet civic-minded local florists wouldn’t mind getting some notoriety by displaying their creations to spruce up Sunny Isles Beach Boulevard and maybe even Golden Shores too!

*Stop driving...The city has invested quite a large sum to operate a convenient shuttle bus service to help alleviate traffic – so if everyone stopped driving so much and started riding the bus instead, theoretically, the city could save millions in future road expansion projects! More shuttle bus passengers could also diminish the need for employing motor patrol police officers – but then again, if the Police Department stopped issuing so many tickets, Sunny Isles Beach would wind up losing revenue – so scratch that idea!

*Throw a party...Seems like the city is always hosting special events for the whole community to enjoy complete with food, fun, games and even fireworks. But if residents took turns hosting open house block parties every weekend, there wouldn’t be any more need for the budget to have an “entertainment” line item. Maybe all the condo boards could even decide to unite to sponsor another city-wide bash celebrating Sunny Isles Beach attributes money can’t buy: The highest quality of life, peace and happiness!

TOP