Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners

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State wants $224,015 back

The school district received more per-student funding than it should have, audit says.

BROOKSVILLE – A state audit has found 62 instances in which the Hernando County schools incorrectly billed the state for per-student funding during the 2005-06 school year, and has asked the district to return $224,015.

 

Crist: Schools Will Be Funded

TALLAHASSEE – State lawmakers say they will find the money to make up the billions of dollars that schools could lose from a proposed property tax cut, despite a predicted revenue shortfall this year due to a lagging economy.

 

Hospital will roll back tax rate

SARASOTA — New state laws led Sarasota Memorial Hospital to roll back its share of property taxes next year, the first cut after four straight increases.

 

Charter School Report: Some Pass, Some Fail

LAND – O’ LAKES – The charter school movement swept into Florida more than a decade ago, hailed by its proponents as a public school alternative that would add a boost of innovation to the state’s education system.

 

Palmetto Bay Council: Kids won’t necessarily be walled up

The Village Council approved a section of its new land development code and heard from a state senator about why she opposed tax reform legislation.

The Palmetto Bay Village Council on Monday approved a section of its new land development code establishing regulations for private schools and day care centers — despite protests from residents who want more walls and noise barriers shielding them from kids at play.

 

Parkland officials say tax cut won’t cause drastic reductions in services

Parkland officials are promising residents they won’t see drastic reductions in services based on the $19.8 million general fund budget the City Commission will consider for the first time tonight.

 

Tax cut may shortchange schools

TALLAHASSEE — State lawmakers say they will find the money to make up the billion of dollars that schools could lose from a proposed property tax cut — despite a predicted revenue shortfall this year, due to a lagging economy.

 

Budget may trim benefits

Local governments reassess generous health plans.

Sick? Get a government job.  Nationwide, private employers have become stingier with health plans, trimming benefits and shifting premium costs to workers.

 

Cities face tough choices on budgets

The three largest cities in south Palm Beach County raked in millions of dollars from property owners during the past five years as the housing market boomed, using much of that money to pay for the wants and needs of a growing population: more police and firefighters, better parks and libraries, additional people to review and approve building plans.

 

Schools Seeking Answers to Poor Grades

LAKELAND – An F and seven D’s on Polk County’s school report card has officials going back to their books this summer for answers.

 

Uncle Sam Spends Billions With Local Companies

WASHINGTON – From things that bloom to those that go boom, at least $3.8 billion in federal contracts have been awarded to private companies for work in the Tampa Bay area since 2005, and it’s a source of local revenue that keeps growing.

 

Op-Ed:  Think of parks as an essential service

With the recent debates over property-tax reform, it seems a constant theme is that local governments can look to address their budget reductions by “doing without” parks.

 

Foreclosures, Home Sales Cast a Pall on Public Spending Plans

Residential property values are dropping lower than county and city officials had projected, foreshadowing an even tougher budget season next year.