City’s General Fund Coffers Return to Pre-Recession Values; 2019 Budget Passes On First Reading

The total City of Hollywood Budget is about $610,501,593. This is a 13.37 percent increase from last year. This is the entire budget for the city. The General Fund Operating Budget is $282.263,083 or 45.2 percent of the total budget.

The Hollywood Commission passed on first reading the proposed the Fiscal Year 2019 operating budget. The total millage rate is 7.6992 which is the same as last year.

The operating millage is 7.4665 and debt service is 0.2327. A homeowner with a $200,000 property and a $50,000 homestead exemption will see a total estimated city tax of $1,440.

This includes the fire rescue assessment which is $285 which increased from $222 from last year but does not include the proposed fire inspection fee which is an additional $28 an increase from $17 last year.

The taxable value of all property in Hollywood is $16.5 billion. The taxable values of property have increased for the seventh year. The general fund has returned to pre-recession values.

Some of the cost pressures include a flat tax rate, fees for service, pension costs, tax base development, health care, and ongoing collective bargaining negotiations.

Recommended modifications include general obligation bond special election costs, fire rescue and inspection fee enhancements, ten part-time school resource officers, replacement of vehicles, citywide beautification capital and grants matching for large capital projects.

The City also agreed to pay the salaries of ten part-time school resource officers. Other items of interest include the hiring of a deputy fire marshal and about $510,000 for the new fire rescue trucks. About $1,200,000 will go for self-contained breathing apparatus for Fire Rescue. $1,000,000 will go for new police vehicles. And $750,000 will go for landscaping improvements.

There will be a circulator vehicle to transport people throughout downtown and the beach.  The capital improvement plan includes a grant match for safe routes to school. This means sidewalks and signs to make it safer for children to get to and from school. The plan also includes sewer and water line replacement and lifts station replacement.

Author: Amanda Jones
Author: Amanda Jones

Amanda Jones specializes in social media marketing. She holds a Master's degree in Social Media Management from the University of Florida and a Social Media Professional Certificate from the University of Miami.

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