Your taxes: Palm Beach County cuts tax rate cut by 4.6%, the largest since Great Recession

County commissioners Tuesday cut the tax rate by 4.6%, enough to avoid an increase in county taxes next year for most residents whose homes are homesteaded. The only larger percentage cut in the past 31 years was during the Great Recession in 2008.

The tax rate and the $1.3 billion budget were adopted following a public hearing. Even with the cut — thanks to soaring real estate prices — county budget officials will have about $85 million in additional property tax revenue to fund county operations, which represents an increase of nearly 7%.

County taxes typically account for about 25% of a homeowner's tax bill.

The budget provides for a 6% pay increase for county employees, 23 new positions funded through property taxes, a $53.8 million increase for the sheriff and a $12 million increase for the supervisor of elections.