Report: Marlins Stadium May Carry Huge Property Tax Bill
MIAMI (CBSMiami.com) – Thousands of taxpayers in the city of Miami were furious at the millions of dollars that had to be spent to build the new Marlins Stadium. But the initial payments could only be the start of what the city owes for the stadium.
According to CBS4 news partner the Miami Herald, the city had assumed that the parking garages it built for the new stadium would be exempt from property taxes.
But as the old saying goes, we all know what happens when you assume.
It turns out; the city may owe property taxes on the parking garages to Miami-Dade County. According to the Herald, to be exempt from property taxes, municipal property must be used only for municipal purposes.
Obviously, the 5,700 spaces across four garages won't be utilized solely for the public good.
According to the Herald, that's only the start of the problem. Based on language in the contract, the Marlins will owe nothing and the city will be responsible for all taxes.
So how much would the tax bill come out to per year? According to the Herald, the bill will be roughly $1.5 million to $2 million per year.
County officials told the city that no decision had been made, but there's little they could do to help Miami.
County officials told the Herald that the tax responsibility was, "a contractual matter to be negotiated between the Marlins and the city."
The Herald reported that the city will ask Miami-Dade County for an exemption to the property tax question because the garages support a public stadium and will be owned and operated by a municipal government.
