Miami Gardens council members set a tentative tax rate that is higher than the current rate, but city officials say property tax revenues will actually decrease.

Council members approved a tentative tax rate at $6.27 per $1,000 of a property's taxable value Wednesday, an increase from last year's rate of $5.37.

Many homeowners will likely see a tax decrease given fallen property values -- despite the higher rate.

By setting the ceiling for the tax rate, the council can decrease the rate during the budget process, but not raise it.

Public hearings are scheduled for September for the proposed 2010-11 budget, which takes effect in October.

The typical homeowner with a property assessed at $72,400, who takes the $50,000 homestead exemption, would pay $140 in municipal taxes. The amount would be $64 less than for the 2009-10 fiscal year, where the same home was assessed at $88,000.

Reeling from a double digit loss in property values, Miami Gardens faces a $1.3 million shortfall for 2010. City Manager Danny Crew said he will bring the city into the black by making up for the shortfall from the city's reserves. Now as the city looks toward the 2010-11 budget, even with the so-called ``rollback rate,'' the city is expected to collect $938,370 less in property taxes.

In preparation for the decrease in revenues, Miami Gardens shed 28 vacant jobs.

There will be no new street paving or sidewalk improvements.

Crew removed money set aside for the two lobbying firms that represent Miami Gardens in Washington D.C. and Tallahassee -- a savings of $138,000.

And he eliminated new or replacement vehicle purchases, though the city will likely have to issue a bond to replace older cars.

Miami Gardens faces a difficult budget season, Crew said, in part because of a 17 percent drop in property values.

Even with less revenue, Miami Gardens officials say they will not cut any services or layoff employees.

Instead, Crew said the city will ``tighten its belt.''

In other business, the council preliminarily voted to create a registry of abandoned homes. Property owners or banks could face a $500 fine if they fail to register. The budget hearings are set for 5:30 p.m. Sept. 8 and 6 p.m. Sept. 22 at Miami Gardens City Hall, 1515 NW 167 St.