Bradenton City Council Passes Property Tax Increases

BRADENTON -- The Bradenton City Council unanimously approved an 8.5 percent millage rate increase and a $36.9 million budget at Wednesday's 501 meeting.

The increase will amount to about $46 annually for a $100,000 home in the city. Infrastructure repairs and public safety pension obligations were cited as driving factors for the increase. 

While officials had projected a 4 percent increase in revenue from city property taxes, City Clerk Carl Callahan said actual revenues only increased 1 percent.

Public comment largely surrounded the absence of raises for city police officers, whose salaries have been stagnant for the past four years.

The votes both passed 4-0, with councilman Bemis Smith absent.