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Soldier tax relief proposal on table
County commissioners hope to ease the burden on families of soldiers in combat by giving them $1,000 a year for property taxes.
By WILL VAN SANT
Published April 25, 2005
BROOKSVILLE - Soldiers serving in combat zones could soon receive property tax relief from the Hernando County Commission.
The relief would come with passage of an ordinance brought forward by Commissioner Nancy Robinson.
Modeled after a similar ordinance in Jacksonville, the proposal would allow military personnel serving in global hot spots to apply for a grant of up to $1,000 annually. The money could only be used as a credit against owed property taxes.
According to Robinson, soldiers facing combat have enough on their minds, as do their loved ones back home, and efforts should be made to help alleviate the stress through a little financial assistance.
"Anything we can do to lighten their burden during this difficult time is a good thing," Robinson said. "It's a way that the community says thank you for protecting us and maintaining our freedom."
Plans call for the grants to be awarded through the county's Department of Veterans Services. Applicants would have to prove that they or an immediate family member are serving in a combat zone, reside in Hernando and own property in the county.
Bill Hobaugh, who works in Veterans Services, estimated that there could be as many as 50 eligible county residents. Officials said the money could come from the general fund or county reserve accounts.
Hobaugh said that his department fully supports the proposal and that it is an opportunity to do a tremendous amount of good for a soldier at little cost.
"If we can give them the sense that that's one less thing they have to worry about on the home front," he said, "it's going to be much easier for them to do their jobs."
The ordinance is tentatively scheduled to come before the County Commission for approval May 17.
--Will Van Sant can be reached at 352 754-6127 or vansant@sptimes.com
[Last modified April 25, 2005, 01:04:14]
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