The new budget year is underway and Oakland Park has big dreams and a budget to match. City Commissioners passed the annual budget, which took effect Oct. 1. Running the city will cost $180.6 million this year, up from $173 million last year.

The city also reduced its millage (property tax) rate from 5.6979 to 5.6799, a reduction of 0.018 mil. However, when tax notices arrive the bottom line may still be larger than last year. The reduction in the rate won’t, generally, offset increases in assessed property value. The city also only makes up about 25 percent of your total tax bill and doesn’t include the taxing rate of other agencies such as the county and school board.

Additionally, Oakland Park residents will pay a fire assessment of $441 and $489 for solid waste and stormwater. 

Property taxes go to the city’s general fund, which is budgeted at $97.4 million. Fifty-four percent, goes towards public safety including BSO and fire/rescue.

No Plan For the Land

What’s not listed in the budget is $6.2 million to buy two blocks between 2530-2700 along the south side of West Oakland Park Boulevard. The purchase has been in the works for months, although the public didn’t find out until late July, when commissioners approved funding to “explore” the idea.

Several residents produced city emails purporting to show that the project was intentionally kept hidden until the last possible moment.

In addition to not being in the budget or providing means to pay for the land, there is also no plan on what to do with the land. Commissioner Tim Lonergan said the hope is for the city to flip the land to a developer.

That opened another line of questioning; is the bidding process underway, which developers were invited to bid, is there already a deal with a developer?

There are also questions about what will happen with the land’s current tenant, CareerSource Broward. Its relocation could take years and could be paid for, at least in part, by the city.

Residents are hoping to get answers or put the purchase on hold.