HomeMy WebLinkAboutDocumentation_Workshop_Tab 05_08/11/2009VILLAGE ECONOMIC WATCH
Looking out for your tax dollars
The dire state of the economy and drastic measures to deal with revenue shortfall is all over the
headlines these days. Here at the Village of Tequesta our elected officials and staff, working
together for the best interest of the community, have been able to escape the consequences by
being vigilant for many years with a close watch on our budget, holding down costs and living
within our means-all while continuing the highest level of service possible.
Palm Beach County is contemplating a 15% percent increase in your taxes, but Tequesta will
maintain the current millage rate, which represents a 10% reduction in our ad valorem revenues
due to decreasing property values and change in law regarding homestead exemption. We have
kept costs contained to offset this anticipated loss in revenues while maintaining and improving
infrastructure and servicing.
What did the Village of Tequesta do during the period when revenues were growing with
property values?
• Expanded water utility services to customers outside the Village,
generating new revenues
• Constructed a new well and pipe line, reducing need for external
suppliers
• Built and paid for Village Hall-leaving no debt for taxpayers
• Expanded the Parks and Recreation Department, and held free
events while collecting revenues from non-residents
• Constructed a linear park along Dixie Highway
• Enhanced and improved Constitution Park
• Purchased police vehicles outright to avoid extra debt
• Installed mast arm traffic signals for better resilience during
hurricanes
• Paid down debt service where possible
• Purchased equipment that allows our public works department
to complete projects previously contracted out
• Continued an ongoing project to put streetlights and sidewalks
in certain areas of the Village
• Enhanced the website to access agendas, minutes and
information back to the 1950's
• Built up our reserves in anticipation of the need for the new
Tequesta Bridge as a sound business practice as the economy
began to slow down
• Brought in Federal Stimulus money in the amount of
$3 million dollars for the Tequesta Bridge project
Unfortunately, no one knows how long or severe the current economic situation will be, so we
are looking for ways to ensure we have the flexibility in our budgets to mitigate risks to the
citizens, employees and taxpayers. Specifically we are continuing to:
• Review capital spending priorities
• Explore annexation of contiguous properties in unincorporated areas
• Expand alternative revenue sources at both the state and federal level
• Expand services outside of the Village
• Evaluate and implement modern policies and procedures to ensure efficient operation of
the Village
Administration monitors key indicators and provides regular information to the Council that
gives insight into the potential economic impact on the Village's operations. The Village of
Tequesta will exhaust every means of keeping our expenses down, but at some point with our
revenues continuing to decrease at this rate, we will have to make decisions about the services
we can continue to provide and the need for additional revenues to support them.
In the meantime, we will do what we have been doing all along-watching out for YOU, the
residents of the Village of Tequesta, to the best of our ability.
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