The proposal passed 5-2 despite outcry from residents who took turns pleading with elected officials for a financial reprieve.

Those who voted for it said the increase, which includes higher fire and sanitation fees, would still give homeowners a lower tax bill because of declining property values. About 81 employees would get to to keep their jobs.

Opponents — Mayor Peter Bober and Commissioner Heidi O’Sheehan — each said they wanted staff members to suggest further cuts before a final vote on Monday.

“It might sound like a small increase, but it’s exacerbated by the higher fees,” said Bober, before voting against it. “It’s not a ton of money but there really are a lot of people who can’t afford it.”

The commission chamber was filled with employees and union leaders, but none of them commented. Some residents took aim at some of the soaring employee costs and urged commissioners to make bold cuts to the city’s workforce of roughly 1,485.

“If you don’t have the political will to do it, you are either part of the problem, or you are incompetent and you don’t deserve the position you have,” one resident said.

Under the proposed $324 million budget, property owners will see their tax rates go up to about $6.24 for every $1,000 of taxable value, an increase from the current $5.95.

A flat fire fee will go from $109 to $130 for every residential unit. Sanitation fees also will go up 10 percent each year for the next five years.

The measures would result in 26 vacant position being slashed, but nobody would lose their current jobs. It also means the owner of a $292,000 homestead home would see a savings of about $11 in city taxes, instead of the $49 under the current rate.

Ihosvani Rodriguez can be reached at ijrodriguez@sunsentinel.com or 954-385-7908.

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