Well. After all of the posturing and fear-mongering, the first round of tax changes are in place. Anyone feel that a weight has been lifted?
One local business owner noted:
"I own a non-homestead property in Kissimmee. According to my 2006 tax statement from the county tax collector's office, I paid the City of Kissimmee $1,333.64 in property tax. If I read the news correctly, this is what will happen to the Kissimmee portion of my taxes this year...the amount of tax is being reduced by 9%, which would reduce my city real estate taxes to $1213.61. But there is a new 3/month storm water fee, which increases the tax to $1249.61. And then there is the new fire fee, which starts at $13/month for commercial buildings (and I don't know my exact amount yet), so the tax goes to at least $1405.61. So, before tax reform, my city tax liability was $1,333.64, and after tax reform with the city's new fees, my city tax liability is at least $1405.61, and that's before any adjustments are made to the value of my property."
At the same time, we hear various elected officials continue their shrill message of "don't vote for the tax cuts, or we will have to cut everything" with everything ranging from emergency services to social services to commuter rail. It seems that at least some of the Orange County elected officials are on record saying that they can live with the tax reductions that were approved. Locally, it seems that only County Appraiser Atlee Mercer has been willing to step up and say that the cuts will be offset by increases in property values.
It seems like everyone wins in this one, except the taxpayers. The state officials can say "hey, we promised to make tax cuts and we did." The local officials can say "those state guys messed us up, but we made the hard decisions to protect our communities." But for those planning to solicit campaign donations for 2008, you might come up a little short. The taxpayers have new fees to pay.
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4 comments:
This whole property tax issue is a joke. Local governments are just going to charge us more. We will pay more because of these guys. I wish the legislaters could help us local people.
So you on the News last night. Great story.
You should post a video of the news coverage that you had on Channel 9 News. That was a great report and I think is showed how the old-time political people think we are idiots. These people are going to find out that idiots don't like to give out campaign contributions anymore.
Tom Long's meeting last night on the Subsidized Government Housing project that the School Board, or Empire in WayneWho speak, went very well. He got all of his points across and showed much of what the School Board and the Developer were saying in the newspapers was just pure fiction. The numbers don't add up, the people where are going to live in the project isn't what has been reported, and basically it is all a sham. There were spies in the group that appear to work for either the school board, or the developer, so I assume they are going to attack Mr. Long, or the people in that neighborhood. You would think these people would have enough class to take the complaints and concerns and address those instead of trying to force this through. I just find it a sad day when citizens have to go into rebellion mode to try to preserve their way of life.
Politicians -1 The People- 0
As you stated the only "winner" is Tallahassee at least they can say they delivered. When you look at the whole subject the best bet is for the county commission to vote to do nothing, using their bust through super majority vote. It is complicated but with what they did in Tall. it is best to do nothing instead of choosing the lesser of 2 evils as a tax payer.
Then we can go after any current politician who votes in more fees before the actual tax revenues are known.
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