INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The proposed Indian River County tax rates and various budgets have received initial approval and are set for a second and final hearing later this month.
The property tax rate will remain the same, bringing in fewer dollars as property values continue to decline. The total millage rate will be 5.0663. And the main county budget – the general fund – is $69.7 million, $9 million less than last year.
“We’ve had a very hard economic period over the last four years,” County Commission Chair Bob Solari said, adding that with the help of the county’s staff and contractors the county does business with, the county has been able to handle the budget cuts.
All but one of the county’s budgets are expected to bring in less revenue than the year before. The exception is the county’s Solid Waste Disposal District.
County Administrator Joe Baird told the commission and the audience during the first public hearing Wednesday that the district will see a 5 percent increase in its residential rates. Commercial rates will increase by 4.63 percent and the Readiness-to-Use Fee will go up by a little more than 6 percent.
Baird explained that the county has worked to decrease the rates since 1996, when residents paid $80.08. They will now pay $67.84, up from last year.
Baird said he does not plan to raise the rate next year.
Resident Bob Johnson questioned the need for increases to the rates. He also questioned what he considers a double-fee for disposal when residents pay their fee then have a company come out to clear a tree or debris and that company then pays for dumping. Presumably, the company passes that expense back to the resident.
“I hate any rate increase like any other person,” Solari said, adding that he believes this increase is “well worth it.”
The final public hearing will be held at 5:01 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 14, in the Commission Chambers. The public’s input is encouraged.
