VERO BEACH — As a proposal to reduce or eliminate property taxes advances in Tallahassee, Vero Beach officials have begun examining what such changes could mean for the city’s finances, calling a recent special meeting the start of a broader public conversation.
“Our general fund budget for this year is $35,950,000, rounded up,” City Manager Monte Falls said. “Property taxes represent about 38.75%, $13,750,000.”
Falls noted the statewide average share of municipal budgets funded by property taxes is about 43%, slightly higher than Vero Beach’s. Still, he said, the revenue is central to city operations…