Exemption cuts Riviera Beach taxes

Riviera Beach City Council members say keeping taxes flat in the upcoming municipal budget will be critical in creating conditions that will allow people to buy homes in a depressed housing market. The owner of a $125,000 home will pay about 21 percent less in city taxes next year under the proposed budget the city council will consider Wednesday. The city expects to bring in $29.4 million from property tax during the upcoming budget year, about $400,000 less than last year. Nonetheless, the city plans to spend 9.2 percent more than last year.