Property tax hike rejected

Palm Beach County commissioners won’t raise the property tax rate in 2009, despite administrative recommendations that the $47 million budget shortfall will result in massive cuts to services. The proposed increase would have meant much bigger tax bills for some of Palm Bach County’s richest homeowners. County administrator Bob Weisman recommended an 8.3 percent tax rate increase earlier this month. Next year, property taxes will remain at their current rate — a little more than $3.78 for every $1,000 of taxable value.