The Boca Raton City Council approved the 2017-18 budget with amendments at the final budget hearing on October 2, 2017. Additions to the $443,173,500 operating budget included carry over amounts from 2016-17 projects still in progress, financial assistance to non for profit organizations and a new full time position.
The City Council adopted the 2017-18 millage (tax) rate of 3.6788 and approved a fire assessment increase of $20.00. The annual fee per residential household for FY 2017-18 will increase from $105 to $125. The fee for non-residential property varies depending on the size and type of property.
The general fund operating budget, where most of the property taxes are spent, is $169,057,800. After the public hearing and discussion among the council members, the following additions were made to the budget:
$120,000 Full Time Sustainability/Resiliency Position
$104,000 Tri County Humane Society for Hurricane Irma damage to building
$100,000 Boca Raton Children’s Museum for Hurricane Irma damage to building
$50,000 Festival of the Arts Boca
$500,000 PGA Tour Golf Championship (from Economic Development Fund)
$64,000 Portable restroom trailer for Mizner Bark
$10,000 Tech Runway (from Economic Development Fund)
$75,000 Wrap traffic signal boxes around the City for Art in Public Places
$9,500 Additional Funding for Habitat for Humanity SPB, Spirit of Giving, Boca Ballet Theatre, Boca Raton’s Promise, D.I.S.C (Macedonia AME Church)
The 2017-18 budget also includes 48 new full time positions which will sustain the outstanding quality of City services and further the strategic goals of the City Council.
The Capital Improvements Program is the City’s plan for infrastructure and major equipment acquisitions for the next six years. $456,014,000 in capital improvements projects were approved for FY 2017/18- 2022/23.
New to the City budget this fiscal year is the Infrastructure Surtax Fund to account for the Palm Beach County voter-approved one cent sales tax program. The City of Boca Raton’s estimated ten year allocation is $58-$60 million and an Infrastructure Surtax Fund has been established to track the funds. To date, $47,260,000 in infrastructure improvement projects have been identified and the 2017-18 budget includes $15,850,000 in projects. The City plans to issue a revenue bond to expedite funding for the projects.
The initial projects identified for the infrastructure surtax fund include:
- Lake Wyman and Rutherford Park Waterfront Restoration
- Hillsboro /El Rio Park
- Pavement Resurfacing
- Waterfront Masterplan Improvements
- Wildflower/Silver Palm Park
- Renovation of Fire Station 6
- Street Light Design (FPL)
- Public Safety Communication Tower
Watch the final budget hearing below.
