LOOK, GOVERNOR CRIST WANTS OUR "REDUCE TAXES NOW" SIGN .....ALSO, JEB BUSH EVEN IS WEARING ONE OF OUR VOLUSIA TAX REFORM STICKERS!!
“Volusia Tax Reform is excited The Florida Board of Realtors launched it’s campaign in support of Amendment 5" stated Margie Patchett, Executive Director of Volusia Tax Reform. “We look forward to working with the Florida Board of Realtors together with other grass roots organizations throughout the State of Florida for the passage of Amendment 5.” she added.
Volusia Tax Reform has a panel of guest speakers to travel the State of Florida to speak to various groups and organizations in an effort to educate the citizens on the importance of this Amendment.
“We would like to thank Senator John McKay and the other members of the Tax and Budget Reform Commission who have allowed Floridians an opportunity to vote on how they should be taxed”, stated Margie Patchett.
If you would like for one of our speakers to meet with your group or organization, please contact us through our website at www.volusiataxreform.com
Also at the bottom of this email is information again provided by Fishkind & Associates as to the Instant Wealth Created by Amendment 5. Please Read.
Here is some information for the Florida Association of Realtors:
Myth #1
Opponents say Amendment 5 will take valuable funding away from schools.
False! Amendment 5 requires the Legislature to provide required funding for schools. Instead of the funds coming from property owners in the form of taxes, it could come from sales taxes, reduced spending or any other source determined by lawmakers.
Myth #2
Opponents say Amendment 5 will raise the state sales tax and
disproportionally affect the poor and needy.
False on two counts! First, Amendment 5 does not require the Legislature
to increase the state sales tax. Second, necessary goods and services will
remain exempt from a higher sales tax. These include unprepared food, rent,
heating fuel, medicine, electricity and health care services.
Myth #3
Opponents say Amendment 5 equals a sales tax on services.
False! Amendment 5 does not dictate to lawmakers how to make up the revenue to fund our schools — including any new tax on services. It points out obvious options, such as a reduction in spending, and encourages lawmakers to come up with other revenue sources, such as collecting sales tax on items currently taxed in retail stores but not when purchased on the Internet.
HOW MUCH EACH PROPERTY OWNER WILL SAVE IN EACH COUNTY IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA:
|
|
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alachua | 23% | Hamilton | 27% | Okeechobee | 33% |
| Baker | 27% | Hardee | 29% | Orange | 30% |
| Bay | 42% | Hendry | 29% | Orange | 30% |
| Bradford | 27% | Hernando | 30% | Palm Beach | 26% |
| Brevard | 30% | Highlands | 30% | Pasco | 32% |
| Broward | 24% | Hillsborough | 23% | Pinellas | 25% |
| Calhoun | 27% | Holmes | 31% | Polk | 28% |
| Charlotte | 27% | Indian River | 31% | Putnam | 26% |
| Citrus | 30% | Jackson | 37% | St. Johns | 33% |
| Clay | 32% | Jefferson | 28% | St. Lucie | 23% |
| Collier | 25% | Lafayette | 27% | Santa Rosa | 36% |
| Columbia | 25% | Lake | 30% | Sarasota | 29% |
| Miami-Dade | 25% | Lee | 30% | Seminole | 29% |
| DeSoto | 31% | Leon | 27% | Sunter | 36% |
| Dixie | 24% | Levy | 29% | Suwannee | 29% |
| Duval | 29% | Liberty | 29% | Taylor | 28% |
| Escambia | 30% | Madison | 31% | Union | 26% |
| Flagler | 35% | Manatee | 31% | Volusia | 25% |
| Franklin | 17% | Marion | 35% | Wakulla | 31% |
| Gadsden | 29% | Martin | 26% | Walton | 22% |
| Gilchrist | 30% | Monroe | 20% | Washington | 31% |
| Glades | 25% | Nassau | 32% | ||
| Gulf | 37% | Okaloosa | 38% |
FROM FISHKIND & ASSOCIATES:
*All Florida property becomes more valuable at a lower property tax rate;
*Eliminating 8 Billion in taxes creates approximately $80 Billion in increased values and higher wealth for property owners assuming a 10% Cap Rate:
*Florida Property becomes instantly more profitable:
This will stimualte construction of non residential property since it is now more valuable to own
This creates jobs and incomes
Those who own Florida property are wealthier by $80 Billion
This will stimulate spending in Florida
Lower property taxes will result in higher levels of populuation growth
Lower property taxes stimulate residential housing starts
“Words cannot describe how excited Floridians are that the Commissioners of the Tax and Budget Reform Commission passed Amendment CP0002 removing the Required Local Effort from the real estate tax rolls. It is an historical day for the Great State of Florida", said Margie Patchett, Executive Director of Volusia Tax Reform. "We would like to thank the Commissioners that voted in favor of this Amendment for their courage and bold leadership for placing this on the November ballot to allow the citizens to decide" she added.
Volusia Tax Reform looks forward to educating the citizens on this very important Amendment that will give all property owners in the State of Florida a 30 to 40 percent reduction in their real estate taxes. This is the significant relief that the citizens have been demanding and expecting from our elected officials. However, there is still much to be done in reforming our very broken tax structure.
Volusia Tax Reform will now focus on educating the citizens as the special interest groups and lobbyists are already gearing up to defeat this Amendment come November. "We need to raise money to campaign in favor of this Amendment as there will be millions of dollars spent in attempting to defeat it" stated Margie Patchett. "The significant tax relief this Amendment offers is what will help kick start the economy of the State of Florida and help to bring equality and fairness back to the tax system" she added.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/politics/orl-tax2508apr25,0,3894219.story
As we know, the special interest groups and lobbyists are already out in full force and even threatening to file a law suit to prohibit the voters from voting on this Amendment. Some will say it is not fair to remove some tax exemptions. Food and medicine should remain exempt! VTR Would say it is not fair that the property owners are bearing the burden of escalating real estate taxes. Everyone should pay their fair share of taxes. It is because of tax exemptions the unfairness of taxation has been placed on property owners. With removing some exemptions then everyone will have to pay their fair share. It is fair to distribute the burden of taxes to a broader tax base. That is what is fair. Business will say it will hurt the economy. VTR says the current tax structure has already hurt the economy. Businesses are going out of business, VTR would say it is unfair right now! Why should special interest groups be excluded from taxation and paying their fair share? Property owners have been paying far more than their fair share of taxes.
It will be imperative that we raise money to educate the citizens of the importance of this Amendment as there will be literally millions of dollars spent by the special interest groups and lobbyists to defeat this Amendment. WE NEED YOU NOW MORE THAN EVER!! PLEASE HELP!!
Also, I have heard some say they are renters, how will this help them? First, it could stop your rents from increasing and perhaps maybe decrease the rents. Competition will demand that landlords will lower their rents or keep them the same to get the tenants. Therefore, competition will set the rate. Also, a peculiar thing is happening right now, tenants are being forced out of their rentals because landlords are getting foreclosed on!!! This is almost becoming rampant.
At the bottom of this email is just a small sampling of the emails I have received from citizens!! Please read.
Emails we have received:
Margie,
YAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.
I am beside myself. I don't know what to say.
I have written everyone - Even the Honorable Kenneth Wilkinson
and Mike Hogan took the time to respond back to my email. That
was very nice of them and I am going to write to them again. I
have their personal email addresses.
Without the TBRC, where would we be today. They have MADE A
DIFFERENCE this year. We must not let their courgeous efforts go
for naught when November rolls around. I pray with all my heart
that CP002 is approved by the voters come November. The message
must get out to every voter in Florida. They can not let this
opportunity for real tax reform go by the wayside.
Enough for now. I have to get ahold of myself. The TBRC should
remain the governing body - they got it done without any
political allegiance or homage to those ........... (special
interest groups). Hip Hip Hooray for VTR and Americans for
Prosperity also. You gave me a reason to feel good about the
future of Florida and I'm forever grateful
Oh my Gosh!!!! Really?
Do I understand this correctly? We will have the opportunity to finally VOTE for something substantial? My eyes or old age must be deceiving me. Please explain I am so confused. We can vote on what happens to our money in this county? But WOW what do I need to do to keep this going?
Dear Senator Haridopolos:
We have been reading in the newspapers that you want the Tax and Budget Reform Commission to take a second look at the Amendment which they passed overwhelmingly on Monday, March 17, 2008, to remove the required local effort from the tax portion of real estate tax bills.
The following is a quote from Article XI, Section 6 of the Florida State Constitution wherein the TBRC is commissioned to do as follows:
“to determine methods favored by the citizens of the state to fund the needs of the state, including alternative methods for raising sufficient revenues for the needs of the state; determine measures that could be instituted to effectively gather funds from existing tax sources; examine constitutional limitations on taxation and expenditures at the state and local level…”
The quote above from the State Constitution states the TBRC is to determine methods favored by the citizens, not favored by our elected officials. Furthermore, the TBRC is to determine measures that could be instituted to effectively gather funds from existing tax sources. This is exactly what the TBRC has done in passing this Amendment and if approved by the voters, it is up to the Senators and Representatives to find the funds from existing tax sources. This is the role of our Senators and Representatives and why they have been elected to office.
In the article I read you were quoted as saying: “the amendment could trigger a sales tax hike of up to a 2.5 cents.”
It would appear that perhaps you are trying to use scare tactics and influence the decisions of this Commission. This would appear to be an attempt to subvert this Commission’s decisions and basis for their appointments. The members of this commission are not current elected officials for a reason. The reason being is to insure they are not pressured by lobbyists or other special interest groups to sway their decisions or votes.
The Commission Members should continue to make bold and courageous efforts to attempt to restore fairness and equity back into our broken tax system. These decisions at times may not be popular with our elected officials, however are necessary to restore Florida to it’s former glory. It is a very sad day in our democracy when our elected officials, who are suppose to serve the people, are attempting to subvert the decisions of an independent commission that have the ‘political will’ to do what our elected officials would not do. Volusia Tax Reform feels these commission members have the character not to be influenced by the scare tactics that are now being imposed upon them nor influenced by special interests. These commissioners have exhibited the leadership in making important, however, difficult decisions on behalf of Florida, something that is sorely lacking in Tallahassee at the moment.
The TBRC members have voted in favor of Mr. McKay’s constitutional amendment and if passed by the voters in November, will provide significant tax reduction the property owners throughout the State of Florida have been expecting from our elected officials in Tallahassee, who have failed to do so.
At the time Governor Crist made his appointments to the TBRC, he stated: “This commission is an important element of my goal to increase transparency and accountability in government,” said Governor Crist. “I am eager to review the findings which will undoubtedly provide a deeper understanding of our budget constraints and unveil opportunities to lower taxes for the people of our state.” “As public servants it is our responsibility to limit the size of government and return tax dollars to the people,” said Governor Crist. “I am confident this experienced group of professionals will work to ensure that our state government lives within its means.”
I will reiterate, “As public servants it is our responsibility to limit the size of government and return tax dollars to the people. I am confident this experienced group of professionals will work to ensure that our state government lives within its means.”
Volusia Tax Reform
T
BREAKING NEWS! PETITION TO ABOLISH REAL ESTATE TAXES!
Download, print, sign and send the petition to Volusia Tax Reform, 1540 Cornerstone Blvd., Suite 200, Daytona Beach, Florida 32117. Please also send in a check for a few dollars as that is how much it will cost to process the Petitions. The checks should be made payable to Volusia Tax Reform.
ALSO, ANOTHER BUS RALLY!!
February 11, 2008
Great News! The Taxpayer Protection Amendment Act has passed the committee of the TBRC and will now go before the full commission for approval. One Commissioner made a comment that of all the items they reviewed this is true tax reform!! Remember, this amendment caps all spending and revenues of the taxing districts at three percent or population and no new taxes without voter approval! If the full commission votes in favor of this, it will be on the ballot this November......
They will send it to the committee to "tweak the language a little bit" and then go to full commission.
This is a great step forward and all of your emails worked!!!
Now, this Sunday evening we are going to have another live webcast at 7 p.m. and you can watch it streamlining on www.kenneytv.com
There will be no charge for watching this live webcast. We will be discussing what happened at the TBRC this week and what to do next!!
Keep up the great work everyone!!!!
Margie
January 30, 2008
As predicted by Volusia Tax Reform, Amendment One passed overwhelmingly. Volusia Tax Reform has advocated to educate our citizens on true, meaningful and comprehensive tax reform, of which VTR believes this Amendment did not address. We recognize this Amendment as a tax shift to those that already pay a disproportionate share of the tax burden. However, the good news is (1) the Legislators got what they wanted and they continue to say this is only step one in tax reform. We will be demanding further steps that will result in true, meaningful and comprehensive tax reform. (2) With regard to portability, let us hope it truly is a stimulus to the current depressed real estate market as our Legislators told us it would be. This was a clear message to our elected officials that the citizens of the State of Florida need tax relief and they are looking toward our elected leaders to do what is right and fair for all taxpayers.
Even Governor Crist and Speaker Rubio in their victory speeches tonight proclaimed this was the first step to tax reform. Volusia Tax Reform will now hold our Legislators "feet to the fire" and they should now support our efforts in forcing; the local cities and counties to be more transparent in all their expenditures. Even our Leglistators are stating that local governments need to be (1) more transparent in their spending; and (2) reducing their spending. Therefore, our Legislators should not have a problem in supporting VTR's efforts in obtaining a Taxpayer Bill of Rights as this is the next step for true tax reform. Volusia Tax Reform will now be pushing for the Taxpayer Protection Amendment Act which is a taxpayer bill of rights to cap all government spending and revenues at three percent or population growth, whichever is less, and no new taxes without voter approval. Volusia Tax Reform feels this is the foundation for any meaningful tax reform. Our Legislators have stated that our local governments need to be more transparent in their spending and therefore, they should support Volusia Tax Reform’s efforts in requiring all taxing districts to publish on the internet every check they write, as is currently being done in other states.
In conclusion, you have not heard the last of Volusia Tax Reform and we have many opportunities before us, however, we will do what is right for ALL Florida taxpayers. We have many plans in place in case the Amendment passed and you will be hearing from us... Stay Tuned!!
January 2, 2008:
The Volusia
Council of Governments (VCOG), representing 16 cities, Volusia County and the
School Board, plus Volusia Tax Reform Coalition (VTR), a state recognized grass
roots citizens group advocating tax reform, are unified in seeking true,
meaningful, and sustainable tax reform; as the property tax system is no longer
equitable.
Bob Apgar,
Chairman of VCOG and DeLand Mayor said “Our collective goal is to inform and
educate the citizens to have a better informed public and in working with VTR we
found many areas of agreement about the inequities of the January 29, 2008
constitutional amendment.”
VCOG and VTR have these common concerns and questions.
·
Does the proposed
constitutional amendment provide true meaningful reform of our tax system?
We believe, no, it does not!
·
Does it eliminate
the existing tax inequities?
We believe, no, it does not!
·
Does the proposed
constitutional amendment continue to shift the tax burden from homesteaded
taxpayers to non homesteaded property owners (renters, second home owners, and
commercial property owners)?
We believe it does!
If so, is that fair?
We believe, no, it is not!
·
Will the proposed
constitutional amendment reduce local funding available for public education and
jeopardize the same levels of service from cites and the County that citizens
have enjoyed?
We believe it will.
Margie Patchett, Executive Director of VTR said, "It is good to see local governments working with the citizens to find some common ground on true and meaningful tax reform."
Regardless of the outcome of the January 29th amendment, VTR and VCOG will continue to work together to try to forge a common position on meaningful tax reform that is fair and equitable to all concerned. That position would be jointly presented to the Budget and Tax Reform Commission, the Florida Legislature, and Governor Crist for consideration.
COPIES OF EMAILS VTR HAS RECEIVED:
GOD BLESS YOU ALL. I have lived in Volusia County since 1972 and worked as a mortgage broker for 20 years. I own a home and 3 rental properties with my husband who is a real estate appraiser, small builder and real estate broker. We have 2 children left at home to raise and are in our 50's. We are basically SHUT DOWN and have been for over 1 year. Prior to that increased taxes ate our retirement. What we worked so hard for is going down the tubes. Even if we wanted to move WE CAN'T. It was discouraging to hear that Tallahassee isn't coming to terms. If they would eliminate real estate taxes and increase the sales tax it would help tremendously. Folks that want to downsize can. Real estate would boom.
We have already left Florida after 30 years, but our house remains-14 months on the market! What once was a hot place to buy is no more. Although we can’t vote this year, we have watched how tirelessly you have set your face to the wind
I bought a small beach home as a second home for my retirement in 2004 and as an investment. I could not easily afford to pay for a larger home, so I thought that I should buy a second home and rent it out. Never did I anticipate my taxes going from 1200 dollars a year for a 1060 square foot home to 5,200 dollars annually not to mention insurance going from 600 a year to 2000 a year. Needless to say, I can not sell the beach house because few people will qualify to buy it with steep taxes and I am slowly depleting my savings supporting what I thought would be a wise retirement plan.I need tax relief now. I think that the taxed value of all homes should be no more than 60 % of their worth with 5% max increases. Afterall, homeowners sacrifice 20% of the worth just to sell it. Fluctuations in the market account for another 20%. As a Teacher and want-to-stay middle class investor I really need the tax help
Do you think we will have any type of relief by 2008??? I am seriously at the cross road, I don't want to leave this area. I have lived here since 1991 and it is home. However, like everyone else I don't know that I can hang on much longer. I live beach side and just received my insurance renewal for this year, $10,000 for the year, up 100% from last year. We bought our house in 2005, I knew it was going to be difficult with taxes considering we were coming from a property we had lived in and was homesteaded since 1996, but with the two combined it is just too much. My mortgage is minor compared to my $1350 per month escrows. It is really hard, this is where my 11 year old was born and has grown up. I don't want to drag him away from his home and make him start over, yet I don't know how much longer I can take the pressure. I could move to another state and live with a lot less stress. You asked for letters, I have attempted many of times to sit down and write you one, yet every time I start, I also start crying. > Thank you for all you are doing.
As an out-of state owner, My wife and I are very concerned about the inequitable taxes we pay at our condominium as opposed to other "resident" owners. We purchased our property now, to retire to in the next 15 to 20 years, but already we have seen our property tax go from 1900.00 to 5900.00 to almost 7300.00 dollars in the last 2 1/2 years. We do not lease out our home, but when taxes reach the equal amount of our mortgage, we will probably have to sell our dream of retiring in Florida. I question the "Save our Homes" amendments' legality, as it empowered the population of Florida to raise or enact taxes, and I believe that that power is reserved for the government and not the populous..
We out of state property owners use less services and cost very little and bring revenue into the state i cannot understand being seniors looking to retire and reside in your state would be left out of this much needed tax reform because we are from another state we still need relief even more because we are holding two homes and pay two state property taxes why can't we be included. if not there will be a huge amount of homes for sales and many of us will move to another state for retirement because it will be cheaper... please respond with a comment this is crazy i am paying 9000 on a house which i paid 194,000 4 years ago and now because someone says it is worth 450,000 i have to pay 9,000 from 2,000 i cannot afford to retire now into this house and this is the cry of many out of state people please count us in.
Count me in to help with any committee that you would like. I am very committed and passionate about tax relief and a seeing a major decrease in government spending in Volusia County and Florida. I have a selfish motive as well----my taxes have increase 300%---I pay property taxes comparable to a palace and yet have only a 1700 sw.ft.single family home. I think 5,000/year is a little much. I also have a very small rental and pay over $5,000 in property taxes. The beach is out of control with spending while not providing services for it's local citizens------ok----don't get me going. Just suffice to say, I would be pleased to help in any way you would like. Take care
I am an out of state investor with 12 or so rental houses in the area. This is a deep issue for me and I have been watching it very closely. I have emailed the Govenor twice and communicated my concerns to everyone I know in the area. Unfortunately since I work in Louisville, KY can't attend your meetings, but my main concern is the State addressing the tax problem without any help to the temporary resident, landlord, and/or business owner. If they leave us out of any relief, I personally will let all my properties go and pull my money out of the State. This also includes our frequent trips to FL to check on these properties (basically we're spending money helping the State as well). If these issues have been addressed with the Govt leaders in Tallahassee, that's great and I think we need to keep pushing them along with other resident concerns. If not, those leaders certainly need to know the impact of ignoring our group of concerned non state residents. Thanks so much for your organization and what you stand for. Please contact me if you need any help.
We are heading north April 11/07.If the burden for non homesteaded property taxes is not adjusted fairly,we will be relocating to another state after 19 yrs.What happened to all the revenue during the boom time? Was nothing set aside for down time?To suggest cutting essential services is ludicrous. Shame on you.
As part-timers, we don't have the benefit of the Homestead and Save our Home. We have no problem paying our fair share of the tax burden, but our current tax burden is far from fair when we pay 4 - 5 times as much as some of our neighbors. Hope your group can accomplish meaningful reform that is fair to all taxpayers. If things continue as they now stand, we will have no choice but to sell our Florida property and look to other options.
My family lives in Port Orange and I purchased a condo as an investment for my future to be near them. I am suffering terribly with the tax hike, it tripled! How close are we to seeing some kind of relief??
My taxes increased in 4 years from 2,000 per year to 9,000 per year. I bought the home because I could afford it... the house the taxes and the services but I never imagined this.... and now I can't afford this home I will have to sell it now....but... I can't sell it because everyone is trying to sell ...so I purchased my home at 194,000 and in four years it has been reevaluated from 194 to 450 why because some one said so then what happens when now I can't sell it for that so do they roll the tax back and to what amount... this is crazy but most of all this has got to be illegal. We are the slaves of the government, we are the indentured servants.
I own 2 1/2 acres of property in the county section of Ormond Beach that is located on a privately maintained dirt road. We lived in Florida most of our lives and my wife was born in Daytona Beach. We can't even afford to pay the taxes on the undeveloped land. We use no city services and we are having trouble selling the property because no one wants to build because they would be unable to afford to pay the taxes on it. By the way we paid approximately 2400.00 last year!!
Many thanks for keeping us here in Tennessee informed as to the unfairness in Volusia County taxes. As I have stated before we are paying $4300 plus for a one bedroom condo in Dayitona Beach and this is terribly out of line and the taxes have gone up 70% over the past three years. We have a 5 Bedroom home here in TN with 3 1/2 baths on the lake, and we only pay $1200 in Property Taxes.
Thank You-for keeping this on the front burner. As a landlord here in Osceola County, I feel the tax sting the most
What happened?
WHAT IS THE TRUTH?
The truth is that most cities and taxing authorities in the State of Florida have increased their revenues over the past five years more than 60 percent; some upwards of 100 percent increases in their total revenues.
The truth is because of the overspending of our government, the middle class Floridians can no longer afford to purchase new homes nor keep their existing homes.
The truth is student enrollment in the State of Florida for the years 2006 and 2007 has dramatically declined.
The truth is the dramatic decline in student enrollment is a DIRECT INDICATOR THAT FLORIDIANS ARE MOVING OUT OF THIS STATE!!
The truth is most of the local elected officials will not even admit that there is any waste in government spending.
The truth is many local elected officials would much rather increase the millage rates above the roll back rate to show they will not accept what Tallahassee has mandated and without any concern whatsoever of the tax payers of the State of Florida.
The truth is that at most a 9 percent roll back in government spending will not cripple the cities or taxing authorities.
The truth is most of the cities and taxing authorities continue to use scare tactics to alarm the citizens that their public safety is at risk if they reduce their budgets by at most 9 percent! Even though the truth is in the last five years the cities and taxing authorities have increased their revenues astronomically.
The truth is the cities and counties are voting to increase all other revenues, impact fees (in some instances 300 to 400 percent), franchise fees, water fees, etc. without any concern whatsoever as to how this will further erode the economy in the State of Florida.
The truth is the citizens of this great state have voiced their opinions to their elected officials, both at the local and state levels, that they cannot afford to pay these real estate taxes!
The truth is citizens do not trust most of their elected officials.
The truth is we need good people to run for office who will represent the voice of the citizens!
The truth is Florida is in a recession and the citizens are looking for the elected officials to LEAD US IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION!
The truth is we need public servants. not politicians!!
VOLUSIA TAX REFORM'S PLATFORM FOR TRUE REAL ESTATE TAX REFORM:
*Reducing real estate taxes through capping government spending;
*To oversee and monitor that our taxing authorities are held accountable to fiscal spending of our tax dollars
Volusia Tax Reform understands there are numerous proposals that our legislatures are considering. However, Volusia Tax Reform would like to emphasize that the more complicated any of the plans for tax reform become, the more of a possibility exists that there will be loopholes and unintended consequences. Overall, we need a plan that will:
*Provide equity to all property owners;
*Address out of control government spending at all levels;
How this is accomplished could take any number of forms that may be acceptable to Volusia Tax Reform. Volusia Tax Reform still believes that Property Appraiser, Morgan Gilreath’s 7 point plan is the most comprehensive and workable solution to date.
Volusia Tax Reform would welcome further discussions in replacing part of the ad valorem tax with a state sales tax.
The property appraiser would assess the property not at "HIGHEST AND BEST USE", however, it would be assessed at ‘VALUE IN USE". Example: If property is situated on a prime piece of real estate for development, however is currently used for agriculture, then it would be assessed at "VALUE IN USE" not ‘HIGHEST AND BEST USE".
Volusia Tax Reform desires equality in real estate taxes and wants to be an active participant in the discussion regarding quantity of property tax paid versus the value of services being received from taxing authorities. The quality of services being provided, of course, falls upon the citizens to determine within their communities and requires continued citizen involvement, which we would strongly recommend. If the citizens do not consider the quality of services their local city and/or county provides it would be up to them to protest at the local levels.
Volusia Tax Reform understands there are still evolving discussions and proposals being presented and we want to ensure that true, meaningful and comprehensive tax reform is accomplished this year. Therefore, we encourage our state legislature to focus on improving the equity of property taxes because the state legislature is the only body that can accomplish that objective.
Executive Committee
Margie Patchett
Tom Blawn
Doug Kosarek
Maureen France
Steve Koenig
Stuart Patchett
Dick Pollard
Rusty Saunders
VOLUSIA TAX REFORM MISSION STATEMENT:
*TO OVERSEE AND MONITOR THAT OUR TAXING AUTHORITIES ARE HELD ACCOUNTABLE TO FISCAL SPENDING OF OUR TAX DOLLARS
HERE ARE SOME OF THE THANK YOU LETTERS WE HAVE RECEIVED FROM CITIZENS:
I would just like to express our appreciation to you and your volunteers for all of the hard work you have done to make this happen. I know it has to have taken over your life. You remind me of one of my favorite quotes from Margaret Mead: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has"...and you certainly have proven this to be true.
Thank you Margie, My wife and I live on Social Security and between the home owners insurance and the property tax reduction that looks like it was a political soothsayer, My wife and I can no longer afford to live in Florida. We've been here since 1964 with a good life but spending and wild economy during the past 8 years, killed Florida's senior citizens ability to survive the wild ride in property tax escalation. We endured a huge telephone rate increase but it's to much of a hardship anymore. With Tennessee's Electric power rates, property taxes and home owners insurance I'll be able to eat again without scrimping and actual have a few bucks left over each months. I want to wish all of you that stay and continue to pay blood money to survive my best wishes. For us oldsters, the writing was on the wall.
WE HAVE FORMED SEVERAL COMMITTEES AND WE NEED YOUR HELP!! IT IS ONLY THROUGH THE COMBINED EFFORTS OF THE CITIZENS THAT WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Please go to our "Meetings" link as there are special meetings coming up that we are requesting people to attend in order that OUR VOICES CAN BE HEARD AGAIN!!!
THE COUNTY CHARTER AMENDMENTS WERE VOTED DOWN!!!!! THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HELPED MAN THE POLLS AND GOT THE WORD OUT!! OUR COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBERS WILL NOT BE GETTING A RAISE NOW!!!
WOW - WE DID IT! Together WE saved the taxpayers of Volusia County almost 30 million dollars. Read the "news" article called "Pressured Volusia council lets some air out of tax bubble."
Volusia County has the 3rd highest Millage Rate in the State of Florida following Duval and Palm Beach?!!
Volusia County's Millage Rate is nearly double that of our surrounding Counties?!!
Volusia County Property Owners are realizing that their property taxes are out of control! Make your concerns heard! Whether you live in-state or out-of-state, whether you are homesteaded or not...you need to be familiar with this issue! If we do not address property taxes now, where are our taxes going to be next year? ...And the year after?
THERE IS HOPE. A NEW GROUP HAS BEEN FORMED VOLUSIA TAX REFORM, A GROUP OF VOLUSIA PROPERTY OWNERS UNITING TOGETHER TO LOWER PROPERTY TAX.
Pd. Pol. Adv. sponsored and paid for in-kind by Volusia Tax Reform P.A.C. 1540 Cornerstone Boulevard, Suite 200, Office #200, Daytona Beach, FL 32117. Telephone Number: 386.236.2604
© 2006 Volusia Tax Reform
