'We cannot take care of the things we have': Bartow considers 33% hike in property taxes
Some Bartow residents are in sticker shock after getting their tax notices, which show proposed increases of as much as 33% on certain taxes that the city says are needed to fund its 2023-24 budget.
City Manager Mike Herr said without additional funding for salaries, parks, public safety and infrastructure the city is at risk of losing its sovereignty. On its current fiscal path, Bartow will be absorbed by Polk County government.
Herr told the City Commission on Aug. 21 during a work session that his first couple of months on the job he was inundated with emails from residents who wanted more recreational and quality-of-life amenities, despite recent social media posts listing projects that should be cut from the budget.
“We cannot take care of the things we have,” he said. “I know what kind of condition these parks are in. And it's sad. It is sad to think that the county seat would let its infrastructure get to a point where it is today.
“Now, if that's what the average Bartownian wants, then you're welcome to have at it," he said. "But if you want to have a good lifestyle, a place where people can enjoy and have a better quality of life, then let's keep an open mind. I'm not asking you to agree with me, I'm asking you to listen to me."
He also said that if the city wanted to continue as a chartered city, as voters had approved, then improvements to the city were needed. Or Polk County will eventually consolidate the city.
“And if that's what you want for your future, then you're going to get that,” he said. “Can't we afford just a little bit more for a quality of life for our citizens and our kids?”
According to the city website, the proposed increase would take the property tax rate from 4.608 mills to 6.108. A mill is $1 in tax per $1,000 in assessed value of a property, meaning the new rate would be $6.108 per $1,000 of value.
“This increase compares favorably to neighboring communities,” the city said. “At the 6.1080 rate, the City would have the fifth lowest millage rate of all cities in Polk County.”
Conservative fiscal policies of the past have resulted in a healthy cash reserve but at a cost of postponed maintenance and replacement of “key facilities” and “critical infrastructure,” the city said. But to stay on the same financial path, “This risks failure and threatens public health and safety."
The additional tax revenues raised would go toward salary increases to attract and retain talented workers, building and road maintenance, a new fire substation to reduce response times and amenities such as a possible swimming pool and upgrades and replacement of existing recreational facilities.
Other funding priorities include centralizing public works, solid waste and fleet buildings to run those departments more safely and efficiently, technology upgrades, improving city sanitary sewer inspection, sewer rehabilitation to prevent overflows, and a pavement resurfacing program.
The budget also includes funds for nonprofits including the Bartow Economic Development Council, Bartow Chamber of Commerce and Mainstreet Bartow Inc. to help expand the local economy.
The bigger budget would be funded with more than just a tax increase. Cash reserves also would be tapped for capital improvements without the risk of depleting all reserves for potential emergencies, the city said.
But some residents have taken to Facebook to air their disgust with the sudden jump in tax rates. Attempts to reach users on the social media site were unsuccessful.
The assessed value of a property is determined after homestead exemptions are applied. Further, there are several exemptions for senior citizens and veterans. A 25,000 homestead exemption applies to people owners who live in at their property. And an additional $25,000 exemption applies to the first and third $25,000 of assessed value in homesteaded properties.
The median price of a home in Polk County in July was $320,000, which is down 4.9% from the same period last year, according to Redfin.
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The city has hired an outside financial consultant, Raftelis, to develop financial forecasts for Bartow with different options for city commissioners to consider. Among those options:
With no millage rate increase, cash reserves would likely run out sometime by fiscal years 2026 or 2028. The city would be forced to offer noncompetitive wages with resulting retention and recruitment gaps for staff, and would not invest in degrading infrastructure and facilities.
In a second scenario, without a millage Increase but an investment in infrastructure with cash reserves, the city would run out of funds to make further investments by fiscal year 2026, which would not be financially sustainable because reserves are needed to balance the budget each year.
Or lastly, with a 1.5 mill increase adopted and $15.5 million from cash reserves, the city could invest in people, infrastructure and facilities, while maintaining a responsible level of cash reserves.
The city has a series of three public meetings to gather public input on the proposed budget. Each meeting will start at 5:30 p.m. on the following days and locations:
Tuesday at the Commission Chambers, 450 N. Wilson Ave.
Wednesday at the Polk Street Community Center, 1255 Polk St.
Sept. 5 at Carver Center S. Gym, 520 Idlewood Ave. S.
For further information, visit the city’s website at www.cityofbartow.net.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Bartow proposes steep hike in taxes to fix neglected infrastructure
