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Town attorney says county tax collector backed down on proposed 2% municipal collection fee
Summary
Town Attorney reported that a planned 2% fee on municipal collections proposed by the county tax collector will not be imposed “for the time being,” removing immediate pressure for a coordinated municipal lawsuit.
At the April 16 Town of Cutler Bay meeting, the town attorney told council members that municipal legal action contemplated over a proposed 2% fee by the county tax collector is on hold because the tax collector has “backed down,” the attorney said on the record.
The town attorney said municipalities had been considering a joint lawsuit to obtain a determination that the tax collector lacked the legal authority to impose the fee on municipal collections. “I was going to ask you if you would want to join a lawsuit being brought by the various municipalities in Miami-Dade County to obtain a determination that the tax collector does not have legal authority to impose a 2% fee on municipal collections,” the attorney said. “But I think he must have heard whispers about it because he backed down, and he's not going to be imposing a 2% fee on municipal collections at least for the time being.”
Why it matters: A permanent county-imposed collection fee would have reduced municipal revenues; the attorney’s report indicates the immediate threat has abated but could re-emerge if the tax collector revisits the proposal.
Looking ahead: The town attorney did not announce a council decision to join or decline any litigation; council members received the update and may revisit legal options if the tax collector resumes the proposed fee.
