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Property tax cuts worry officials
Commissioners are told legislative proposals add up to sizable losses.
By BILL VARIAN
Published March 15, 2007
TAMPA - A state House proposal to roll back local property tax rates to 2001 levels would cost Hillsborough County about $190-million next year, budget officials told commissioners Wednesday. Add to that Gov. Charlie Christ's proposed doubling of the homestead exemption - the property tax break that already exists for people who live in the homes they own - and the county estimates it would lose another $61.7-million. And in the unlikely scenario that all the governor's plan passes on top of the House rollback, Hillsborough County is looking at a more than $270-million loss. Commissioners heard that gloomy scenario at a workshop about issues they may confront in passing a county budget in September. Budget officials and commissioners acknowledged the ultimate hit likely won't be anywhere near that. Still, they are bracing for hard choices. "Something is going to happen and it's going to be enormous," said Commissioner Ken Hagan. State budget forecasters looking at economic trends already project a marked slowdown in property tax growth next year of between 8 and 9 percent in Hillsborough County. That contrasts to a 20-plus percent increase last year. At the 8 to 9 percent projected rate, Hillsborough County would expect to collect $820.7-million in the property taxes that pay for general government operations, if tax rates stay the same. But the county's estimated losses due to state tax reforms would be subtracted from that amount. Hillsborough Commission Chairman Jim Norman noted that commissioners have already agreed to cap their annual spending increases. He said legislators are under pressure to provide property owners with meaningful tax relief and that commissioners should try to be helpful in that effort rather than voice blanket opposition as some other local governments have. Commissioners ultimately voted 6-0 to encourage the Legislature to adopt a cap in spending similar to the one they have already adopted. Commissioner Rose Ferlita left the meeting before the vote.
[Last modified March 15, 2007, 06:26:08]
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by Candy
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04/12/07 10:18 AM
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I came here from Massachusetts and the taxes AND homeowners insurance were way cheaper there. The salaries are much higher also. On Florida salaries you cannot afford these high taxes.
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by Margaret
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03/22/07 07:42 AM
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Increase Sales Tax That way everybody pays for the services provided by my high taxes. Even the Migrants and Snowbirds. I am tired of paying for the services used by everyone. I don't even have a fire hydrant within a mile of my property
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by Rose
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03/19/07 09:46 PM
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Stop property taxes all together and raise the sales tax.
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by Johney Johnson
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03/19/07 04:11 PM
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Stop your whining! You want your cake and eat it too. Let's see how happy you are when the value of your home is decreased, along with the level of services provided by the government (i.e., Sheriff, police, fire fighters, teachers, etc.).
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by John
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03/17/07 03:07 PM
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It's about time the Florida Legislature did something about local overspending.
Capping spending roll-back would be wonderful. We all know these local fatcats will no control spending themselves. Elimination of property taxes should be next.
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by Cry Babies
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03/16/07 08:39 AM
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Yes, actually, it DOES! That's the point of the statistic, you are NOT being screwed, just catching up to the rest of the civilized United States. The tax burden overall is still extraordinarily LOW.
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by Bart
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03/16/07 08:13 AM
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Looks like Hillsborough got used to living high on the hog with the ridiculous run up in property values. I'd like to know what I'm getting for my $5K a year...glad I can send illegals to school...I can spend a few $K better than the county.
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by Walter H Foster IV
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03/15/07 06:31 PM
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Ok Ken, so taxes are higher in 43 other States. Does that justify the monumental screwing we are all getting?
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by lee
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03/15/07 02:49 PM
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maybe you try it every three to six months or no taxes at all
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by popo po p
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03/15/07 01:04 PM
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i hate it!
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by bill
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03/15/07 09:54 AM
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Maybe you guys need to have a Penny for your pork barrels like pinellas does
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by Harry
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03/15/07 09:09 AM
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Okay let's not be lemmings here. Everyone knows that local gov't has enjoyed an unprecedented wind-fall over the past 5 years. It's funny to hear local officials ruffled over a roll-back- did they think that they could keep this $$$ forever? Ha!
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by Peter
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03/15/07 07:40 AM
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So the prior tax surpluses they have invested currently may not grow larger? Scary
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by Ken
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03/15/07 07:11 AM
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And yet for all the whining - the US Commerce Dept shows the total tax burden rank as percentage of income for FL is 44 - i.e. only six states impose lower total taxes - it's higher everywhere else!
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