Palm Beach County commissioners have trimmed another $12 million from Sheriff Ric Bradshaw’s proposed $1.2 billion budget, bringing the total cut to a record $32 million.
County Administrator Joe Abruzzo said he was grateful to Bradshaw for his help in balancing the budget.
By a 5-2 vote on Tuesday, Sept. 15, the commission adopted a fiscal 2027 budget that will keep the millage, or tax rate, at the same level, $4.50 per $1,000 of assessed valuation.
The new budget will take effect on Oct. 1.
Earlier on Tuesday, during a debate on whether the county should create a separate taxing district for the Sheriff's Office, commissioners criticized Bradshaw’s spending plan for its lack of detail.
One reason commissioners cited for creating the taxing district
was that it would require Bradshaw to submit a line-item budget, something he has declined to do for the past 22 years.
Bradshaw, however, pledged to work with Abruzzo to provide the commission with the level of detail it seeks.
“I understand your position,” he said during the public hearing without elaborating on what he would do.
The accommodation between the sheriff and county administrator followed months of consternation.
Palm Beach County and other local jurisdictions across Florida have come under scrutiny from state officials who have questioned their spending and accused municipalities of misspending money, often without offering either details or specifics.
They point out that even without raising their millage rates, local governments can collect millions more in property tax revenue due to rising assessments.
In addition, Abruzzo in recent months has been game-planning for potential deep cuts in funding should voters approve a statewide property tax rollback measure, Amendment 3, in the Nov. 3 election.
But as commissioners eyed cuts in their departments and services, the PBSO budget continued on its upward trajectory. As a constitutional office, PBSO sets its own budget but its spending money comes out of county coffers. Commissioners can refuse to approve his budget but Bradshaw could then appeal the decision to the governor's office.
Some commissioners say Bradshaw’s budget growth is unsustainable. County records show PBSO's budget has risen 216% since 2007, roughly three times the inflation rate. Even after the cuts, Bradshaw's budget would increase 7%, while departments overseen by the commission absorbed a 2% reduction.
The Palm Beach Post has reported that special executive benefits and rehiring practices have contributed to increased personnel costs at PBSO.
More than $6.3 million has been paid to high-ranking members of PBSO through a special 401(k)-type perk that is 100% funded by taxpayers. As much as $70,000 per year has been deposited into those accounts.
In addition, nearly 40 high-ranking PBSO officers have been rehired after retiring. Some returned to newly created posts, while others were rehired in their former jobs at higher salaries. Bradshaw has since said he will no longer rehire retired employees.
To avoid raising the millage rate, the commission said it had to request budget cuts from Bradshaw. It also further tapped reserves or surpluses by $4.5 million and cut more than $10 million from Palm Tran, its transit service.
While the millage remained the same, many homeowners will see higher tax bills due to higher assessed values.
The $4.50 rate is 5.4% above the rolled-back rate, which would generate the same amount of revenue as last year.
Several other county taxing districts also levy millage rates. They include:
- Palm Beach County Fire Rescue, a millage rate of $3.4581.
- Palm Beach County Library District, a millage rate of $0.549.
The total millage rate is $6.19. A home assessed at $500,000 would pay about $3,100 in property taxes.
That millage rate of $6.19 does not include school taxes.
Mike Diamond is a journalist atThe Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. He covers Palm Beach County government. You can reach him at mdiamond@pbpost.com. Help support local journalism. Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Palm Beach County cuts PBSO budget by record $32 million, holds tax rate
