Tonight Orlando will be the center of the property tax debate. From 6-9 PM tonight, February 22, Mike will hold a town hall meeting at Valencia Community College's West Campus in Room 105 of the HSB Building. If you are unable to make it tonight, there will be another meeting tomorrow, February 23, at Indian River Community College's Knight Center, which is located at the Main Campus in Ft. Pierce. This will also be from 6-9 PM.
The House recently unveiled its plan to provide relief for Florida's property owners. Read more about their plan here
As always, feel free to add your comments on this subject.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
9 comments:
May the best financial heads prevail and come up with more concise legislation than that by the legislation on insurance.
Voters are very lucky to have this chance to 'vent' in Brevard. Heard folks as a whole giving precise reasons and possible solutions to this property tax problem. Liked that they expect a solution and I think it is because they were doing all the input and the politicians were 'only' listening. Hard to argue when only one person is talking and other person seems to be listening.
A few comments....
1. Local government spending needs to be capped....It is outrageous that Brevard County raised our tax bill from $5178 to $8195 in one year simply because the property is not homesteaded....That is a $3000 increase....This is a 58% increase equal to the amount of $250/month....and this is at the same time that our condo maintenance fees have increased 20% solely to cover new insurance rate premiums....an extra $54/month....My husband and I budget in for a 5% to 10% increase on costs in general....Clearly this is out of our expectations....
2. We also own/live in a homesteaded property in Palm Beach County where we directly benefit from the SOH cap on our primary residence....So, we are living this property tax issue from both sides....
3. It is possible that the snowbirds from Alabama will prevail in their class action lawsuit and that SOH will be deemed unconstitutional....Regardless of that situation....I am reasonably convinced that the portability capability proposed by Governor Crist is indeed unconstitutional....
I researched ideas/suggestions on the internet this morning....and while I am registered as a Republican the fairest suggestion/proposal I read I actually found in the Tallahassee Democrat....Please take a moment of your time to read the entire commentary thru....In my opinion, this person makes some very valid points....She mitigates the balance of shifting to a sales tax and the impacts on the poorer....and lowers everyones property taxes (which frankly is the only way anything is going to actually pass if voter approval is needed)....
http://www.tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070227/OPINION05/702270311/1006/OPINION
Lastly, in addition to what is suggested in that online commentary....I don't see the objection to a revenue stream coming in from gaming/gambling in this state....This revenue could be used to keep the raising of the sales tax amount lower as well....
Thank you for your time and consideration....
Julie
Having watched the televised Town Hall meetings I am impressed with the wide range of knowledge of our citizens. It is admirable that folks are speaking, for the most part, concisely. That is because they are expecting that you are listening and intend to finally get this problem under control.
It is interesting that the PROPERTY APPRAISERS of this state ARE probably at the root of the problem because of the inequities of how THEY decide of tax. Why would there be DIFFERENT ways to apply property taxes?
Your next problem is that most county commissioners have forgotten that their responsibility is to provide needed services, such as roads, schools, and infrastructure.
We thank you and your committee for the fairness of how the Town Hall meetings were handled.
Your closing comments at the Manatee Town Hall on 2/27/07 were your best yet in wrapping up the problem. How folks use the towels at the hotel vs their care of their towel in their home...excellent example. Good luck!
The Florida Senate including Ken Pruitt of Port St. Lucie have caved into the demands of local governments, big business and the news media. The plight of Florida's overburdened homeowners is being trampled BY THE REPUBLICANS who are only interested in the interests of business. Limit property taxes to 1% of the purchase price or raise the homestead to $200,000 in order to provide meaningful tax relief. Tweaking appraisal standards will not benefit homeowners who only use their property to live in!
I would like to know how home values will be assessed with this new tax program. ??? I have lived here for 14 years. Will they use the assessed value, as it is now(under Save Our Homes) or will they raise my assessed value? I can barely afford to pay my taxes now!
If you are interested in finding property in Florida I found a great site called property maps. It matches up the MLS with Google Maps to make an easy way to find a home. Now is a great time to buy. It has been great for me.
Post a Comment