South florida property values show only modest declines

Property tax rolls for 2010 were literally signed, sealed and delivered to mayors and commissioners across South Florida on Friday, setting the stage for officials to set the rates that will determine how much homeowners will pay in taxes this year.

The figures showed a slowdown in the three-year freefall of property values, with modest countywide declines of 2.8 percent in Miami-Dade County and 1.6 percent in Broward County, according to property appraisers.

“Last year, we had about 20 cities with double-digit declines,” said Pedro Garcia, the Miami-Dade property appraiser. “This year, we have only one city that was in the double-digits — Florida City.”

Between Broward and Miami-Dade, about 20 municipalities actually saw values increase.

Source: Miami Herald