The Times

10 TIMES/GUIDE Weekend of September 4/5, 1976

Will W. Miamians accept 30% tax hike?

By EDWIN KNIGHT Staff Writer For the second consecutive year, West Miami Mayor Edmund Cooper's proposed budget has been passed into law without a single change, even though the appropriation will require a 30 per cent increase in city taxes for support. "There were some questions from about 15 people at the budget meeting," the mayor reported, "about why taxes will have to rise so sharply, but there were no requests for changes." Councilman Ken Braidman, supported by Councilman Martin Yelen, attempted to have the council members' individual expense account reduced from $150 to $50 a month. But this was voted down by the remaining three members of the city's legislative body. Even though the budget has been passed, West Miami taxpayers will still have an opportunity to voice their opinions on the 30 per cent tax hike at two public hearings on a millage ordinance, which still must be passed. The two public hearings, as required by state law when taxes are increased, will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 8 and at the same time on Sept. 22. "A total property tax levy of 7.5 mills ($7.50 for each $1,000 of nonexempt taxable property valuation) will be required to yield the necessary revenues. The tax rate is $1.49 per $1,000 of taxable valuation higher than the 1975 tax rate," Cooper said. The mayor credits the spending of a $112,000 surplus in the current budget, higher costs of workmen's compensation, vehicle and medical insurance and increased costs of operating vehicles for the sharp rise in property taxes. Highlights of the new budget include holding the line on the number of city employes, reducing the beautification appropriation by $3,000, reducing skilled maintenance and summer trash removal help by $4,925 and pay increases for city employes of 30 cents per hour for those on an hourly basis and $50 a month for salaried employes.

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DADE NEEDS STEVE CLARK AS MAYOR AGAIN!

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ELECT LEO McSHANE COUNTY COURT JUDGE

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Will SM taxpayers get relief?

Will South Miami's hard-pressed taxpayers get a break from the proposed 39 per cent tax increase needed to generate funds for the city's new budget? Indications this week show that at least three members of the city's council are looking in that direction. The council meets at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 7, to pass into law the millage ordinance following the second of two required public hearings on the increased tax rate. On Aug. 24, more than 100 taxpayers attended the first public hearing on the millage, demanding to know reasons for the sharp rise in taxes. They got their answers, but little assurance that the tax rate would be lowered. This week, however, a poll of city council members shows that Mayor Jack Block and Mrs. Cathy McCann, often at odds on their legislative votes, are ready to vote against the millage figure, as set in the millage ordinance and look for ways to cut taxes. — EDWIN KNIGHT

SIENTASE ORGULLOSO AL RE-ELEGIR COMISIONADO A HARVEY RUVIN VOTE EL 7 DE SEPTIEMBRE

Pagado por el Comite de Re-Eleccion para Comisionado del Condado a Harvey Ruvin Erwin G. Harris, Tesorero