Author: jenniferwollmann

The Village of Pinecrest reduced its millage from approximately 2.4 mills to 1.95 mills by cutting $1,600,000 from its 2007-2008 budget. This was attained by:

1. Increasing the admission fee at the Splash and Play at Pinecrest Gardens.
2. Charging memberships at the future community center.
3. Increasing rental rates at Village facilities.
4. Decreasing expenditures on out-of-state travel and staff education.
5. Not filling vacant positions.
6. Reduce park hours.
7. Postponing replacement of vehicles.
8. Reducing the amount of funds spent on promotional activities.

At the first public hearing on the budget for 2007-2008, the Village of Pinecrest City Council voted to reinstate the $50,000 that they allocate in the form of $10,000 to each of the schools withing the Village limits.

In the past, this money has been used for landscaping the front of the schools, increasing or updating technology, and expanding Accelerated Reader (AR) programs.

In voting for reinstating the $50,000, which will come from the Village’s reserves, the Village Council acknowledged the importance of the quality schools in bringing families to Pinecrest and increasing property values.

Kuddos to the Village Council! The next budget hearing will be on September 18 at 7:00 p.m.

Well, I received my property tax notice last week and surprise! my property tax bills are not going down significantly (neither did my insurance by the way). I can’t complain as I am one of the lucky homesteaded property owners who defied the “average-time -in-a-house-is 5-7 years-rule” and have been in mine for over 16, so my taxes are low compared to many others in my neighborhood.I live in the Village of Pinecrest, which has been an ardent supporter of the public schools within its boundaries since it incorporated in 1996. Due to the tax reform passed last legislative session, Pinecrest has to rollback their millage rate by 9% and, as a result, cut $50,000 out of its budget that used to go to the schools in the form of $10,000 grants. Obviously this isn’t the only cut they made, parks among other items also got hit, but with three students in the public schools here, it is a cut that will directly affect me.How does this relate to real estate? Easy.

1. Companies need an educated workforce to want to do business in a state.
2. Employees relocating with their companies want high quality public schools.
3. Properties in areas with quality public schools are in higher demand than other areas.

So, while we are all clamoring for property tax cuts and super-sized exemptions to make housing more affordable in the state, let’s remember that cuts will have to be made and we may not be happy with the long term results if those cuts are made in the wrong places.

The Village of Pinecrest has long been know for its excellent schools, but there are a lot of other attributes that makes this community a favorite among long-time residents as well as families relocating to Miami-Dade County.

Once home to the famous Parrot Jungle, Pinecrest has upgraded its parks, including the old Parrot Jungle site now known as Pinecrest Gardens.

Admission to the Gardens is free and there are often community events held there such as the Taste of Pinecrest, Chili Cookoff, Art in the Park, and a variety of class offerings.

There is a petting zoo, a splash zone, and tot-lot for the little ones. Adults will enjoy the large shade trees, meandering paths and incredible foliage.

Jennifer Wollmann
[email protected]