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Solid Waste Assessment

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1. Solid Waste Assessment Information

On Wednesday, July 11, 2012, the City Commission will consider a resolution to approve placing the Solid Waste Assessment for Single Family Residential curbside pickup on the tax bill for collection. The Solid Waste Assessment will appear on your Truth-In-Millage (TRIM) notice received in August if you are subject to the assessment. The City will then consider a final resolution setting the Solid Waste Assessment amount for collection on the tax bill at a public hearing on September 13, 2012 at 5:05 p.m.

2. Who is affected by this change in billing method?

Only those properties that are residential in nature and have curbside collection (in other words, you have a trash cart and/or a recycle cart and bring it to the curb twice a week), will be affected by the change. Multi-family residential properties that receive commercial solid waste collection services, i.e. dumpsters and/or compactors will not be affected by this change in billing method.

3. Why is the City changing the billing for Solid Waste from the Water Bill to the Tax Bill?

The tax bill is a more efficient method for collecting solid waste charges. The City has experienced a 1% to 2% non-collection rate using the water bill method. Although most property owners and/or renters generally pay their utility bills on time, there are a certain number who do not pay on time or not at all. By using the tax bill method, each property owner will be charged the solid waste charges annually for the ensuing year.

4. How will this affect my water bill?

Beginning November 1, 2012, the Solid Waste Charge will no longer appear on the water bill, reducing the water bill by $22.60. Since water usage is billed in arrears, a prorated amount for usage in September will continue to appear on the water bill through October 31, 2012.

5. How much is the fee and can I take a discount if I pay my taxes early?

The fee is proposed at $273.75 for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2012 through September 30, 2013 and will appear on the tax bill in the non-ad valorem tax section along with the Fire Rescue Assessment. As is the case with the Fire Rescue Assessment, the non-ad valorem taxes are part of the entire tax bill and subject to the discounts offered for early payment. Although the Solid Waste Assessment cannot be paid separately from the tax bill, following are examples of the discounts, associated with the Solid Waste Collection Services Assessment only, depending on when the tax bill is paid.

November payment – 4% discount $273.75 x .96 = $262.80 ($10.95 savings)
December payment – 3% discount $273.75 x .97 = $265.54 ($8.21 savings)
January payment – 2% discount $273.75 x .98 = $268.28 ($5.47 savings)
February payment – 1% discount $273.75 x .99 = $271.01 ($2.74 savings)

** These discounts are not available using the water bill method for payment.

6. I am a single family residential owner and I am only here part of the year, will I be billed for the entire amount?

Yes, the Solid Waste Assessment is an annual amount paid on your property tax bill whether you occupy the property or not.

7. I am a single family residential property owner and rent my property. Will the tenant be responsible for the solid waste assessment?

No, the tenant will not be billed for Solid Waste collection. As the property owner, you are responsible for the tax bill and the Solid Waste Assessment will be on the tax bill.

8. I have a mortgage and an escrow account. How will this affect my escrow payments?

For those residential property owners who have an escrow amount included in their mortgage payments, generally adjustments will be made at the time your escrow amounts are recalculated. The Solid Waste Collection Services Assessment will be included on the tax bill which is part of the annual recalculation.

9. I received by trim notice / saw the advertisement notifying us that the City may raise taxes this year. Why the increase?

The notice / advertisement lists the maximum rate that the City is considering.
The final rate will be approved in September and may be lower, but in no event would it higher than this rate.
This is being done to provide the Mayor and Commission with the opportunity to further evaluate police services within the City. Should the Mayor and Commission decide to increase taxes, this additional revenue would be spent only on police services.
Given the average property value in Tamarac, the increase for most homeowners is estimated at $1 per month, if the Commission approves the maximum advertised rate.

10. Is the Fire Rescue Assessment (aka Fire Fee) increasing?

No, the residential rate of $265 is the same as last year.