During a recent budget workshop, Venice City Council members tackled the pressing issue of property tax rates amid a challenging economic landscape. Councilman Smith highlighted the city's need to roll back property taxes, emphasizing the financial strain on seniors and residents facing rising costs. "This is the toughest budget challenge the city's faced in 10 years," he stated, underscoring the urgency of the situation.

Smith expressed his commitment to maintaining salary increases for city employees, including police and fire departments, while also proposing the reallocation of $5 million from reserves for a well field purchase. He noted that the city's property assessments have surged from $3 billion to $7.4 billion over the past decade, yet the tax rate remains higher than it was ten years ago.

The council is under pressure to comply with the Truth in Millage Act, which mandates transparency in property tax increases. Smith pointed out that for the last ten years, the city has had to publish notices indicating an increase in property tax levies, despite some years showing a fractional decrease in rates. He called for clarity on the rollback rate, which would prevent the city from collecting more revenue than the previous year.

As the council navigates these financial challenges, the discussions signal a pivotal moment for Venice, with potential implications for residents' tax burdens and city services. The next steps will involve determining the exact rollback rate and how it aligns with the city's budgetary needs.