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SHEILA MULLANE ESTRADAA hike in property values and building permit fees has created a surplus of more than $1-million to go toward city services.
SEMINOLE - Property tax rates will remain unchanged next year, thanks largely to increases in property values and construction-related fees.
The city's rate of 2.9396 mills - or $294 in taxes for every $100,000 of assessed value - has held steady for the past three years. But homeowners have paid more in taxes each year as their property values have risen, and the past year was no different.
"Seminole experienced an 8.2 percent assessed property value increase, which will assist us to fund the services requested by our residents," City Manager Frank Edmunds said in a memo to the City Council. "Additionally, the building permit fee schedule adopted by Council and increased construction activity is estimated to result in a significant increase in building permit revenues."
Those revenues are projected to more than triple. When combined with the growth in property tax revenues, the city will have more than $1-million in additional money to spend on services.
The council will get its first official look at Edmunds' proposed $14.8-million operating budget during a special quarterly workshop meeting 8:30 a.m. Saturday at the Recreation Center. Public hearings on the final budget will be held in September.
Much of the 7.8 percent increase in revenues will be used to finance additional costs for police ($57,000) and fire protection ($190,000), and to hire an additional building inspector to handle the increase in construction activity. The city also plans to upgrade three firefighter/EMT positions to firemedics.
The council may expand Christmas and Fourth of July activities and sponsor a full Movie in the Park program during the winter months, said Harold Kyne, the city's director of administration.
The city also would continue its contributions to such promotional activities as the Miss Seminole pageant, the Kiwanis Fall Festival, the Seminole Professional Firefighters Golf Tournament and the Seminole Chamber of Commerce Business Assistant Program.
"We continue to fund the broad spectrum of leisure services with a goal of enhancing the quality of life with residents of all ages and interests," Edmunds said.
Proposed capital spending includes:
Stormwater drainage projects along 84th Avenue at 113th Street N, Village Green Avenue at Seminole Boulevard, and Blossom Lake Drive at Kumquat Lane;
Renovation of the existing city hall's community room for use as a senior services center;
Street resurfacing and ornamental stop and street signs;
Street lighting in newly annexed areas;
Completion of road beautification along Park Boulevard; and
Hiring a community planning consultant to review plans for Park Boulevard, Seminole Boulevard and Starkey Road.