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Over the course of the life of the bonds — about 30 to 40 years — the debt tax-rate hike would fluctuate depending on the annual level of borrowing.
According to county projections, that could amount to a peak rate of an additional $48.80 in year 10 for a homeowner with a taxable property value of $200,000 in an unincorporated neighborhood such as Kendall. In the first year, the hike would be closer to $9.80.
The proposal will go directly to commissioners without making a preliminary committee stop, where items are usually opened to public comments. Jackson is said to be seeking board approval before the commission takes its annual summer break in August. The health system also needs a commission vote before it can open a fundraising account to back a political campaign.
No public hearing on the matter is scheduled for Tuesday, though Chairwoman Rebeca Sosa hinted to Herald that she might allow some speakers to address the commission.
“I would like to hear feedback from the public,’’ she said.
Jackson’s proposal would be the first county bond since the $2.9 billion Building Better Communities funding was approved in 2004. Last year, Miami-Dade voters approved a $1.2 billion bond for public school improvements, which may have bolstered Jackson’s hopes.
A special countywide election in the fall would cost between $2.6 million and $4 million, according to the Miami-Dade elections department, which requests a minimum 60-day notice to organize a referendum. The county, not Jackson, would have to pay for the election, under state law. Only a handful of cities, including Miami, Miami Beach and Hialeah, are scheduled to hold municipal elections this year.
Seven of the 13 commissioners spoke to the Herald and emphasized that they still have many questions to ask Jackson’s chiefs. But most sounded generally warm to the bond idea.
"I’m not sure if there’s ever a good time to raise [the property-tax rate], not with the unemployment level we have in this county," said Commssioner Estevan “Steve” Bovo, who will be absent from Tuesday’s meeting. But having Migoya at the helm of the health system gives commissioners confidence, Bovo added.
“I don’t see any reason to stop it from going on the ballot. Jackson cannot afford to stay behind.”
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