A Hialeah city councilman is proposing a 10% reduction in the city’s millage rate, a move that would significantly lower property taxes for residents and far exceeds the 1% cut suggested by the interim mayor just two weeks ago.
Councilman Jesús Tundidor, who is running for mayor, introduced the proposal one day ahead of the city’s first budget reading. He says he has identified ways to make the reduction feasible by pausing certain city projects.
“This year is a tough year for everyone,” Tundidor said, citing rising costs for electricity, water, sewer, and home insurance. “A 10% reduction in our millage rate and that (equates) to over $200 a year.”
The proposed cut would create a $13 million gap in the city’s budget. Tundidor said part of that shortfall could be recovered by scaling back on capital improvement projects.
“Identifying certain projects we don’t need, that we don’t need at this moment, that aren’t urgent … hopefully anywhere between 5-6 million dollars,” he added.
The remainder, he said, would come from the water and sewer budget, despite recent fee increases passed on by Miami-Dade County.
Miami-Dade Property Appraiser Tomás Regalado expressed support for the idea. “People want tax relief,” Regalado said, adding, “we believe cities should follow the path Hialeah may be taking.”
The proposal also echoes Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ push to reduce property taxes at the state level. “Taxes (are) purely government,” DeSantis said. “I do think these property taxes have pinched a lot of people and I think we have to do something about it.”
Hialeah last lowered its millage rate in 2013, a move that led to furloughs, pay cuts, closed parks and libraries, the elimination of pensions, and the departure of more than 100 first responders — effects the city is still recovering from.
The first budget reading is scheduled for Wednesday, with a potential vote expected in the coming weeks. If approved, the new millage rate would take effect in November.
