MIAMI-DADE 2010 BUDGET: Commissioners Voted to Raise Property Taxes…recall coming!

MORE TAXES IN THE NAME OF UNIONS, NOT-FOR-PROFIT GROUPS, AND GOVERNMENT WASTE. Those “not-for-profit” community organizers really love our tax money, they came in mass to beg the commission for funding. Many of them thanked the commissioners, but forgot to thank the property owners. Today at 3:48 a.m. ended the second and final budget hearing for fiscal year 2010-2011, where our slave masters the County Commissioners approved the 2010 Budget (PDF). They voted 8-5 to increase taxes: “The commissioners voting in favor: Chairman Dennis Moss, Katy Sorenson, Barbara Jordan, Sally Heyman, Bruno Barreiro, Dorrin Rolle, Audrey Edmonson and Natacha Seijas. Against: Javier Souto, Carlos Gimenez, Rebeca Sosa, Joe Martinez and Jose “Pepe” Diaz.” “The $7.3 billion budget for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1 calls for hiking property tax rates 14 percent to offset the drastic plunge in property values and increases in various county fees. County parks will get new parking fees. Water bills will go up, too. To make ends meet, the county is also tapping reserves.” They approved a revised budget “that includes service cutbacks while raising the salary and benefits of some county workers to the tune of $132 million overall. To pay for this, the budget includes an increase in the county tax rate for about half of all taxpayers that commissioners hope will bring in an extra $178 million in new revenue to fund the new budget.” “County unionized workers will get pay raises in these lean times after earlier givebacks. The police union worries that a vote against the proposed tax hike could cut manpower on the streets were groundless, as a majority of commissioners agreed it was not the time to cut police and firefighter jobs.” The commission also approved a “program to assist new immigrants to Miami-Dade county.” I guess they want to make immigrants dependent on the system as soon as they arrive. “Commissioners also unanimously approved a $5 million program to give all Miami-Dade senior citizens over 65 who have a homestead exemption a one time payment of $100 to offset the increased cost of some county services. After the budget takes effect, seniors will get the checks automatically. They don’t even have to apply.” Wow, $100!! It’s like the thief who steals your purse and gives you $1 for the bus. At this pace, we will never really own our house, eh? Recall coming: “On Wednesday, Braman — who has previously bankrolled efforts to defeat county plans — declared his intention to support and finance a recall campaign against the mayor and any commissioner who supports a tax rate hike. To wage a successful recall battle, petitioners must get signatures from four percent of the county’s 1.2 million registered voters — about 48,000 — within a 60-day period. If that’s achieved and verified, commisisouer [sic] would have to call a special election within 90 days.”
RELATED - Commissioners want to raise property taxes…and continue with the waste & luxuries - $800 monthly car allowance for the commissioners & mayor paid by taxpayers (photos, costs) - First budget hearing – 9/13/2010 - Second and final budget hearing – 9/23/2010

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