Pompano gives tentative OK to tax hike: Property tax rate, fire assessment fee would both rise in proposed budget.

Byline: Linda Trischitta

Sep. 15--POMPANO BEACH -- Commissioners gave tentative approval to a $215 million budget and a higher property tax rate and fire assessment fee Monday night, despite pleas from a half-dozen people to avoid increases during the recession. Stefinca Salic cried when she described how she and husband Vinko were trying to live on Social Security benefits. Though officials pointed out that the couple's taxes would drop this year, from $3,940 to $3,317, she said, "It's still too high. We'll have to buy less food." The city is raising its residential fire assessment fee for the first time in six years, from $75 to $111, up 48 percent. Even with the …