TRIM Notice & Hallandale High School Update

Our residents should have received their proposed tax statement in the mail from Broward County Property Appraiser,  Marty Kiar. The notice is called the TRIM, Truth in Millage. It contains the list of every government that collects taxes in our area. Broward County, our City, School Board, Hospital District, Children Services Council, Water Management Districts, Municipal Fire Assessment, Safe Neighborhood districts and all the debt service that each taxing authority has encumbered. It is not a bill. 

It is part of the Florida Laws. The property appraiser assesses the value of every specific property in Broward. The statements of the Increased values go out to each agency. Based on the figures the taxing authorities set a proposed millage rate. This is the rate explained in the proposed statement. 

For example, we received our statement in mid-June. We have already worked on our budget for this fiscal year which begins in October. Our strategic budget model includes a 5-year projection of revenues and costs. This blueprint for the city provides pre planning with a goal of financial stability over the 5-year horizon. 

Our values went up in the city main within the CRA. On the statement taxpayers are shown what our tax rate would be like if we want to generate the same amount of tax revenue as last year. This is referred to as the roll back rate. I suggested this year even with the debate over cutting property taxes statewide. With a healthy reserve that we have grown over the years give that give us a cushion, it made sense to hold our rate and the commission agreed. 

This does not mean every taxpayer will see a decrease. Taxes are based on the taxable assessed value. Each property is different. On the TRIM it will show the market value, the assessed value, and the taxable value after exemptions. At this time, we also do not know the final rates for the other agencies. So other agencies may have set their rate higher and may reduce it once their budget is complete. 

Your city taxes will be the rate set on the TRIM. By the end of September every authority will have a final budget and final millage rate. Taxes are due in March and taxpayers if they want to pay starting in November will receive a 4% discount, there is a sliding scale from the 4 to 1 with no discount if paid in March.

Also on the TRIM is the set date, time, and place of the public hearings for each agencies charging property tax. By Florida law there must be two hearings held by each government to provide for public input. Our first public hearing for our city and both Safe Neighborhood District is scheduled for Monday 3am at City Hall 400 S. Federal Highway and the last and final hearing will be on September 29th 5:05 PM. 

As we move into the fall Broward County School Board is once again experiencing declining student enrollment. This is happening across the board with all schools including charter schools. This trend has created a need to  address the entire system and many school facilities that cannot operate. Student counts directly impact revenues. 

Obviously, many neighborhood schools are on the list to close or repurpose. McNichol was on the original list and is currently now up for discussion once again. That discussion will be on September 17th at 6PM -8PM at South Broward High School 1901N Federal Highway in Hollywood.  

Hallandale High School is scheduled at 6 PM -8PM  September 15th at Hallandale High, 720 NW 9th Avenue, Hallandale Beach. 

I have not seen the enrollment numbers. Our high school has existed since the 70s. Sadly, they’ve taken many programs out of the schools which people have complained to me about over the years. They have had magnet programs but they have not been successfully maintained. 

There’s no Vocational Schools in our area where students can learn skills rather than just academics to plan for college. The closest would be Sheridan Technical but is not easily accessible to our residents. I am hoping the discussion will not be about closing but adding more offerings to make the school a place that serves everyone. It is vitally important so please try and attend. Tell your neighbor too.  

As always, I am available anytime for your questions, concerns, and ideas to make our city a better place at phone/text 954-632-5700 or you can email me at jcooper@cohb.org. Please visit me on my Facebook page at Mayor Joy Cooper. Like, follow, and share.