By: Carly Levy
Staff increases, park improvements, more artwork events and a roadway resurfacing program. Those are just a few of the reasons the City of Coral Springs is proposing a 26 percent tax increase for the next year.
By increasing the proposed millage rate from 4.80 to 6.05, this would provide the city with $11.5 million to fund capital said Catherine Givens, Director of Budget and Strategy. This would also allow city operations to maintain and fund increased services provided to residents and businesses.
If the commission votes to approve the proposed tax increase at their budget hearings, homeowners with a $250k home will see an increase of $282 more next year and homeowners with a $500k home would see an increase of $613. With only 24.6 percent of a residents current tax bill going towards the city, this increase doesn’t take into account if Broward County or Broward County Public Schools taxes increase, which would be reflected on their overall tax bill.
The city has spoken to the commission about the many unfunded mandates and is trying to rebalance and relook their budget.
“We need to look at the current level of service that we offer our residents and businesses,” said Givens. “If we need to keep this level of service, then we’ll have to ask our residents and businesses to help pay a bit more for it.”
According to Givens, when the economy was at its downturn back in 2008, the city felt they needed to look at their capital. When they wanted to make improvements on the city’s streets and parks, staff decided to hold off another year until times got better, but the process has been very slow.
“We tried holding on for as long as we could,” explained Givens. “We really need to play catch up with our capital…we haven’t been staying up to the level that we know that our residents and our businesses would want us to, so this is one of those areas that we just need to pump in some money and some resources to be able to do things that people can see and also for city operations.”
With this proposed millage increase, there will be major improvements in the city’s parks such as artificial turf replacement in Mullins Park, changing out the field lighting to LED, and tot lot maintenance.
Staff is also looking to fund their roadways resurfacing program, additional art walk events, a city day of service and more senior programming. There will also be a staff increase in the police and fire department as well as a new event coordinator to plan more events in the city.
“We have plans for several things and we just don’t have a plan to fund them,” said Givens. “People talk about wanting to have more events in the city so we’re listening to our residents saying ‘yes, we’ll fund more events for you.”
UPDATE since Hurricane Irma:
The first budget hearing will now take place on September 19 at 5:15 p.m. and the second budget hearing will be on September 27 at 6:00 p.m. at city hall. The public is welcome to attend.
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54 comments
Gangsters call and show your discuss this is almost stealing. Tell them to cut the budget ten percent freeze salaries freeze hiring for one year stop borrowing they will bankrupt our citizens no other city is doing this. This is mismanagement this boarders on malfeasance. We need an independent auditor. Call call call.
you have got to be KIDDING ME ! Tell me this is a joke….26% increase OUTRAGES !
Yeah….NO.
Remember when I made the comments pertaining to the previous city manager when he quit his job, if not read them. The information I received from inside city hall clued me in on the high tax and fee increase that were coming unfortunately the info was right on the money. When the manager quit he stated it was a very good time to leave because the city was in very good shape. he made sure he gave out large pay increases then quit leaving behind a staff that was completely over their heads in running the city. City hall is run like a club with the guidance of a gang of incompetence.
I think there’s a lot more concerning the departure of our City Manager, if you know what I mean and there’s an obvious reason for the commissioners to go outside of City Hall for a new City Manager. I’ve mentioned that in my opinion there’s been a lot of racism, bigotry and self dealing coming from City Hall and that’s only going to be resolved with a new City Manager and a new set of ethical values. Now, he’s just got to drain the swamp.
Well its now obvious that two face Dan and the auto repair guy are doing a very very poor job in running the city. They don’t have a clue but if given the chance they will tell you they are the very best. Its caught up with them. Its now time for them admit they have been useless and hurt every resident of coral springs. Time to find some dignity if they can and resign their positions. Make room for more honest, intelligent people without ego and an agenda to correct the damage they caused. Resign !
Me. Levy please inform your readers as to the time of the budget charade
Ummm NO!!! Charge attendees and vendors for events. $5 to attend, permit fee for booth. Another $615 a year!?!?!? Not even 20% of the city shows up for the “art shows” the city funds. The city seriously needs an outside, public, and independent audit. It’s funny, the road projects fit in the budget this year… Did we lose taxable property somewhere? Foe Example: Did Maplewood disappear??
The city wants these events they make more jobs for city employees increase the payroll add personnel and give large salary increases which creates a large voting block politics 101. Next budget includes an event coordinator another high salary an assistant a car a phone an office benefits pension etc. You get the picture .
You are right. There are quite a few events that should be done away with that have been going on for years – Worldfest is the one that always comes to mind.
And speaking of taxable property. All these local and county commissioners keep doing is turning former golf courses into multi-family housing. Our roadways and aquifer are already stretched thin and all they do is keep adding more people. And then they had the nerve to try and shove a penny sales tax down our throats to help cover these impacts. Luckily, enough Broward residents had sense to vote that down. As John Doe Sr says below – time to drain our own little swamp – both locally and county wide!
Dont just threaten vote them out two face said that he is running for ‘re election in 2018 remember he s the guy behind this tax increase he Is the guy that tried to steal your park and give it away free he he s the guy behind the city hall that is
Millions of dollars over budget .he has damaged the city almost beyond repair he has brought us to the current situation vote him out bring it bring back honesty and integrity
There are 5 people on the commission…its not one or two. You would have more credibility if you stopped just bashing one or two. Just my two cents on that. But they are all responsible for this and it is ridiculous. Guess another meeting is in my forcast.
If you think exposing these people is bashing well I am sorry I OFFENDED you . Just keep voting for them its ok.
This is outrageous, one more time taxpayers victims of Incompetent Bureaucrats!! It would be a good idea to post here the recall form the City of Coral Springs has, and let all community members to fill it out and recall the entire Board of Comission and Mayor also.
Great idea these commissioners have a history of incompetence along with a little stupidity.as I said for months even before the current heist that they along with the previous city manager crippled the city. He ran like a thief in the night so far the commissioners are staying to the end. No respect for the tax payers . Your suggestion for the recall could start immediately there are almost 5000 signatures that were gathered to stop the stealing of the park. That could be a starting point we need an attorney who is sympathetic with the cause to help. We also need a few thousand citizens to call, write, and storm the meetings.(peacefully). Let them hear you loud and clear stop the spending and don’t be fooled they will always have a story more staff, staff pay increases more equipment, improve parks and roads, and the old standby more police , everything we have been.. Paying taxes for in the past. Remove them and reorganize the City’s managers office just to many large salaries and very little production. Stop it now and don’t forget along with this increase they also plan to borrow more money that will have to be paid back along with the paying of previous borrowing. So you can be sure another tax. Increase will be needed. This is the legacy of this gang.
Looking for new candidates step up bring honesty and smarts’
A good starting place is the senior citizens of coral springs they have been under financial pressure for years with no social security increases, higher medical costs and now this shot to the gut. Even if they rent they will have rent increases to cover the higher taxes.
I’m on-board with the recall. 26% increase is insane. Time to drain our own swamp. Poor city management, poor planning, a corrupt building dept, and an overly zealous code enforcement posse is making life here miserable.
Tax hikes such as this will make for a difficult future for older adults living on their social security, maybe a small pension. Young families struggling to give their children a safe and healthy neighborhood to grow up in will be made to struggle even more under an additional tax burden. Coral Springs is a lovely, mixed age and racial community; however, a tax increase such as this one will put many folks underwater. This, on top of proposed future Broward County tax increases, will have a deflating impact on our community. I hope the City commission will post the dates and times of hearings so homeowners can voice their opinions and concerns.
Venetia, you are absolutely correct! They are putting monies into the new budget for lots of senior activities; however, with this 26% increase, seniors won’t be able to afford living in Coral Springs! Young couples, on the other hand, both work just to try to pay the current taxes. Daycare facilities are popping up everywhere and I see these parents picking up their kids after 6pm, hugging them, and really struggling to pay current taxes. What is Coral Springs thinking? If you can believe it, this new budget even includes a new position of Events Coordinator with additional ArtWalk activities for $125,000. No one will have time to attend events as everyone will be too busy working 1 or 2 jobs just to keep up with these taxes over the next 5 years — as proposed in their budget. The 1st Public Budget Hearing is Sept 13 at 5pm. That is an important hearing to attend because the 2nd (and last) Public Budget Hearing is on Sept 27 at 6:30pm. Unfortunately, on that evening, they are planning to adopt the budget so how much input can we have then! Apparently, they are hoping to limit attendance at the first public hearing meeting because they have to know that many residents can’t be there at 5pm. They are all either still working, commuting home from work, or feeding their young children at that time. If residents can’t attend, please email Mayor Walter Campbell at wcampbell@coralsprings.org and copy Catherine Givens (Budget Mgr) at cgivens@coralsprings.org. Let them know how you feel about this 26% tax rate increase. My understanding is that, even though it is proposed at this point, they are truly seeking to approve the entire 26% tax rate if taxpayers don’t push back!
This article should be posted in every Coral Springs residential communities since this forum does not drive enough traffic, home owners must be aware, and renters should be as well, they will be hit by a big rent increase also.
This publication gets 200K-300K hits each month. Our Facebook page has over 29,000 followers. Our numbers say we get a lot of traffic for a local site.
Good start but we need more if there was only a way to get your posts to the local newspapers and magazines and all homeowners ass’n and also get support from AARP.
There were people at library last week taking signatures, believe me the word is getting out.
Its unfortunate that the coral springs chamber of commerce is in the politicians pocket they should condemn this foolish idea the less money in residents pockets the less that they will have to spent on the local businesses remember when gas prices sky rocketed just an example . Come on cc come out against the tax hike and make it public .
How about a sun sentinel editorial and the local forum editorial condemning this tax payer heist.
What time and where is this meeting being held I hope its at night and in a big enough venue and all the politicians show up .
Its at city hall not even close to a big enough venue
Provided they use shielded sub 3000K LEDs and include bike lanes in the road resurfacing, I’m all for it.
Yeah that will help the senior citizens and school teachers that are working two jobs along with all the younger residents trying to raise a family. A bike!many families in coral springs can’t afford a bike
.
Somehow I get the feeling you’d be one of the last people to vote to raise teacher pay or better fund Social Security.
Fred I don’t know you but you are totally wrong either you have difficulty comprehending what I wrote or were. Responding to something else. Take a deep breath and slowly read what I have been commenting on if you still are having trouble get someone to help you. Now please pay attention I feel teachers are grossly underpaid that is a complete different subject and is a county matter not the a. City matter which has been the topic of all the comments. Social security is a U S government issue again not a city issue. I hope you now have a more accurate idea where I am coming from. Prejudging something you don’t understand is wrong and ignorant.
teachers get paid pretty darn good if you ask me… I know a few that make over 60k for 190 days work and get the WHOLE summer off…. enough already…
They don’t get paid for the Whole Summer, they don’t have a choice of when to take their vacation. If they are making 60K they are certainly one of the lucky ones and you are also not taking into account vacation time, most jobs earn 3-5 weeks a year. They deal with Brats for kids who have no respect and their parents don’t care and it is dangerous. They get to school early, leave late because they are giving extra help, take work home. Maybe you should spend a day in a classroom.
want some cheese with that whine ?
They can do that without raising taxes by 26%. This is all a political play, no way do they think the citizens would go for that, so they will do this little play then lower it to appease us all. Bike lanes and resurfacing are County things on most roads.
Just a cover up for bad management and maybe more. They will promise everything to everyone. They are going to show you the black shoes and sell you the red ones (bait and switch) just another con job.
This is the first I have even heard of this site. Up until now, I’ve only seen comments on the following site: grandreservefl.nextdoor.com relative to this outrageous proposed tax increase of 26% in Coral Springs. Please check out this site I have mentioned as it includes residents from within many communities in Coral Springs. As you will see, we are all very upset about this proposed increase. Some people are contacting the Mayor and some are planning on attending the first meeting. If we all band together, we can have an impact. I’m just afraid that a number of disgruntled Coral Springs residents will be too busy to attend the meeting as they are working to pay all the taxes we already have! So, in the meantime, are there any other govt employees we should be contacting or any other way to communicate how upset we are? Sue
Thanks for reading. Readers from all over read this site, unfortunately, you have to live in that particular community or nearby in order to read that thread on next door.
They chose 5pm well knowing that most residents can’t make it at that time unless you work for the city and are part of the high salaried staff. just part of the lies and deceit we have become accustomed to. get ready for the usual (you people of coral springs don’t understand) then the threat that the city will crumble unless they have more money, and this is what the residents want, we want to be the best city (excluding parkland, Weston, Boca Raton ,coconut creek ). We will never hear that the revenues are higher but not enough to cover the accelerating spending or that they just mismanaged the city finances. Very expensive personal taste but not their money.. wait to you city the personal offices in the new over budget, very expensive city hall. And besides the past borrowing they plan to borrow more. They say borrowing is a good thing money is cheap however it does have to be paid back and out of future revenues which more tax increases. Cut or freeze salaries stop new hiring and live within the existing budget for one year after that revenues will automatically increase because of increase in property values and the taxes collected on the new developments going up in town. Get out of the school business.
Currently 2000 city employees shooting for 3000. they want. To insure the election results. Promise everyone a pay increase then they will vote in step at the Taxpayers expense
Finally, someone that actually understand why certain commissioners keep getting voted into office even when City Hall and the commissioners essentially spit on the residents. It’s Self dealing and self interest. In City Hall, it’s one for all and all for one.
Speaking of the art walk no tax dollars are used the truck that is there during maintenance every week is free and the five workers are volunteers just another story.
I told you that the country club group made up of very high salaried City staff are part of the political gang responsible for this outrageous tax hike. these individuals have to protect their salaries and other high perks. I have repeatedly said that the entire office must be reorganized before irreparable damage is done. All covering for each others mismanagement.
including the guy who quit .
there is also some doubts on the city’s need for any additional tax revenue, wasn’t it commissioner Dan Daly who said the city was ready to give financial assistance to the county to improve the school system a system that we are already paying taxes to support. Keep calling and call again send emails tell your friends and family to put a stop to this stupidity and when the time comes remember what they tried to pull and vote them out and support new qualified candidates. Get out of the school business get control of city hall and the staff that are making 3 times the salary of the average coral springs resident.
You’re amazing ! You actually understand what they’ve done in the past and what they’re doing now. There’s only one other person that I know of, that really understands what’s going on and really cares enough to speak up about it.
You’ve clearly got it figured out. Now, we need solution, Remember when Skip Campbell first ran for Mayor? (if you’re who I think your are, you’ll remember that very well) .He told the newspapers that he was running for fiscal responsibility and accountability. He then stated that he was once on food stamps so he understood the need of fiscal responsibility in the management of the City. Maybe you should bring that up to him and ask…whoa..what ever happened to that campaign promise?
I will be there but will lay low I have been here a long time and do not want to put my friends and yours at city hall in jeopardy
Good to know you will be attending. I’m hoping we have a very good turnout. Residents are sending emails/letters, some are already prepared to speak, and I’ve heard there was a petition being signed. If anyone knows where that petition is, we could certainly obtain more signatures for you. On one of the next-door community sites, there has been lots of interest/concern and a desire to organize efforts. With everyone working so hard to pay the current taxes, I’m not sure how much we all will be able to accomplish. Having this meeting at 5pm on Sept 13 in itself shows just how out of touch they are with the needs of Coral Springs residents!
One would think that a city that is as old as coral springs that tax money would be available without a Hugh hike to resurface the city streets I guess road resurfacing is something new to the city and a surprise. Why is there no money to resurface our streets are they telling us that road resurfacing was never in our past budgets or was that money spent elsewhere or maybe something else happened to our tax money. A question among many others that must be answered can’t wait to hear this story. Probably more lies and deceit (you people of coral springs don’t understand) sound familiar? Bottom line coral springs cant afford to resurface its streets.
Art work did you say art work!!! The city can pave it’s streets without a massive tax increase art work?
Correction city can’t resurface its streets. sorry
I hope the developers of the new housing in the city are disclosing to the new home buyers and prospective buyers that a massive tax increase is coming even before they move in.
Did the math on my tax bill. This proposed increase will raise my tax liability $80. Many of us on SS may have a hard time fitting this into the already strained budget. Other county taxes are going up too but in both percentage and $$ amount is less than our CS thieves. My house is small and modest so I can only imagine that others will realize a greater impact.
Public Budget Hearing scheduled for today, Sept. 13 has been postponed for Tuesday, Sept. 19 at 5:15pm in the City Commission Chambers.
I will be attending the town hall meeting and will voice my opinion regarding the increase issue. I spoke to a staff person from the City regarding this issue and clearly stated that since I have came to CS in 1979, I have not liked the direction of the City which has been run by people who do not have the experience or the know how to run anything. Considering the increasing cost of property tax and insurance along with another FPL increase to come! I am looking to relocate elsewhere outside Florida. The State is poorly run by a Governor who was responsible for the largest Medicare fraud in history down to local authorities who have not got a clue!
Your right, however we did get two electric autos, a parking enforcement officer driving a new ford sedan instead of a sub compact. A new slogan everything under the sun that cost 75000.00 when the city could have held a contest with our sixth graders who definitely would have done a better job and it would have costs a lap top for the winner. There are hundreds of these type of expenses that are not told to the citizens. This a careless philosophy on spending has costs the residents millions of dollars resulting pending massive tax hikes for this year and for future years . Yes we do have to pay back the millions they borrowed. The luxurious fire houses we built are for housing employees and parking fire engine. Millions to park fire engines.