Florida Property Taxes

[BrandonSternfield]

I got an email recently about government representitives heading to some big towns having meetings about the Florida Property Taxes.

If you care to read my blog, I have cities with dates, times, and locations. You can follow the link in my signature. If you don't live in Florida, don't worry!

(If this is considered self promotion, I will gladly put the info in this thread, instead of saying go to my blog to read it. Feel free to let me know. I feel that this is balancings the fence, but I could be wrong!)

[Commercial Realtor ®]

The problem was caused by a steep rise in property values without a corresponding reduction in the tax rate. City and county government budgets grew fat on the windfall tax revenues. Now some are proposing an increase in the sales tax to offset the needed reduction in property taxes.

The real answer is to find good candidates to run for local offices on a "throw the bums out and reduce wasteful government spending" platform.

It is true that Florida's population is growing rapidly and the demand for government services is increasing. However, the new residents are paying taxes too so higher tax rates are not needed. New school construction can be financed with voter approved bond issues.

[pcdoc]

New school construction can be financed with voter approved bond issues.

with payments on the bonds from property tax revenue.

[Commercial Realtor ®]

Yes, but at least the payments can be spread over many years like a mortgage. The new residents will therefore pay their fair share over years. Otherwise our taxes will be raised to completely fund the construction out of the current budget. This will be offset by an increase in tax rates which will never be lowered after the construction is completed.

[pcdoc]

Yes, but at least the payments can be spread over many years like a mortgage.

Gee, you're either a current office-holder or have listened to the same blather that our North Carolina Democrats have been espousing for years.

You see, today's property taxes pay-off yesterday's bonds while today's bonds will be paid-off by tomorrow's property taxes.

Politicians are like many homeowners, living from paycheck-to-paycheck. When debt is paid down to a manageable level, they invariably "go back to the well."

Nothing other than "term limits" will ever achieve a reduction in property taxes.

[Commercial Realtor ®]

Now wait a minute, I'm not advocating wasteful spending. I said above:

"The real answer is to find good candidates to run for local offices on a 'throw the bums out and reduce wasteful government spending' platform."

Here in Florida, with such a large population growth, school construction costs are used as an excuse to keep our taxes high. My point is that when the taxes paid by the new residents and bond issues are considered, higher tax rates are not justified.

For more on my political views, visit my website USAvictory.com

And don't get me started on the school system!

[BrandonSternfield]

Commercial, glad Jeb left finally?

I'm just glad some people are informed and opinionated (usually the two don't go together!) about this.

It's a pretty radical change. I think by like 2015 the sales tax is going to sky rocket.

I personally think that by lowering property taxes, and raising sales taxes, that most Floridians won't notice a difference in the long run. It's amazing how much people buy. One thing the state will notice, is the fact that more money will be coming in from tourists paying the sales tax.

Heck, spring break alone brings in millions of dollars of revenue. Add the sales tax to that, and you have your school.

[ISellRiverview]

Keep us posted, nice blog. They have got to do something about taxes here, the RE market is in the toilet right now because no one wants to move & be re-assessed! And who can blame them? I read one article that said that the measure that was passed by the house would reduce the average taxpayer's taxes by about $2800 a year. That would be great, for me as a homeowner AND as a realtor. It will be interesting to see what they decide. I think the sales tax plan is not a bad idea. Let the tourists pay more of the tax bill.

[BrandonSternfield]

But if those goes through to be 0 property tax, we can no longer offer paid taxes for x amount of time as a buying incentive.

But yes, we love the snowbirds.

[ISellRiverview]

Article in today's Palm Beach Post re this issue: http://www.palmbeachpost.com/politic...ptax_0430.html