Tax relief – Lowering the Millage Rate & Fiscal Responsibility

By Fabiola Stuyvesant, Commissioner

(Thursday, October 5, 2023) – It was a big accomplishment to have led and spearheaded the reduction of the Millage Rate by our City Commission, giving our residents a must needed break.

We adopted the final ad valorem Tax Millage Levy Rate of 1.9000 Mills Per $1,000 of Taxable Assessed Value, continuing what has been a historical reduction trend in the past decade interrupted only during COVID times.

Now, step two has to be to ensure a culture of fiscal responsibility when it comes to our city’s General and Capital expenses by being cautious and conscious when approving such expenditures. The fact that we CAN does not mean that we SHOULD spend exorbitant amounts of money. We must use our resources vigilantly focusing on having the biggest community impact while protecting our resident’s goals and upholding our standards of high-quality services.

Despite the challenges posed by the country’s inf lation, there is often an intrinsic inclination within government to increase the budget every fiscal year. That is why I will look for opportunities to share the costs associated with city events, programs, activities, constructions, etc., among other expenses each year. This transparency will provide a perspective of how and why we should consider these expenditures and investments, enabling our residents to stay informed and to be part of the decision-making process.

Information is power but disinformation is a disease. I urge you to disregard the deceptive propaganda promoted by bad actors that seek to confuse and create panic; and to not hesitate to reach out directly to members of the commission for accurate information, we are here for you.

Contact Commissioner Fabiola Stuyvesant at seat3@sibfl.net or 305.792.1751.

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