State Water managers move forward with $758M budget

State water managers should have about $30 million more dollars for the 2017-18 fiscal year for Everglades restoration and flood and water supply projects. 

The South Florida Water Management District staff proposed a $758 million budget Thursday during a board meeting in West Palm Beach. Water managers are expected to vote on the final version next week. 

This fiscal year ends Sept. 30, and water managers are expected to approve a budget by Sept. 26. 

The proposed rate for Lee County is $31 per $100,000 of assessed home value. The proposed rate for Collier is about $25 dollars per $100,000 of assessed value. 

Although both Lee and Collier are in the same 16-county district, Collier County is a special taxing district with different water management costs and needs than the rest of the district. 

Florida water managers end back pumping in Lake O

Tax rates have fallen sharply in recent years, from $62.40 per year for a $100,000 home to $25 per year for the same home.

The district collected $533 million in 2007, and that number has dropped every year since. Lowered property values along with a drop in tax rates has generated about $260 million annually in recent years.

Water flowing from Lake O to eastern Everglades for first time in nearly a century

The 2016-17 budget was $726 million. 

Tax rates are expected to stay the same as last year, although homeowners whose homes have gone up in value may see a higher tax bill. 

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