Maitland cuts tax proposal

Maitland property owners can still expect to pay an increase in taxes next year, but following a contentious vote by the City Council on Monday, as of now it’s set to be half as high of a hike as was initially drafted in July.

There will be one more reading of the city’s budget on Sept. 23, where Council members can choose to lower – but not raise – the 2014 property tax rate. Monday’s 4-1 vote lowered the proposed millage from 4.100 to 4.000, which assistant city manager Sharon Anselmo said reduces the anticipated tax increase facing owners of homes valued at $350,000 with a $50,000 homestead exemption from an additional $66 to an additional $36 for the year.

That adds up to an additional 12 cents charged to taxpayers for each $1,000 of taxable property value they own over what they paid in 2013.

The budget approved Sept. 9 rationalizes the increase by adding additional funding for the city to unfreeze three positions, improve the library, and allocate funds for future park improvements.