County braces for tax outcry

Despite budget cuts of $9-million as part of a state mandate, officials expect unhappy property owners.

By BARBARA BEHRENDT, Times Staff Writer
Published September 13, 2007

BROOKSVILLE - Back before soaring property values and rising tax bills were the rule, it was noteworthy if even a handful of taxpayers showed up for county budget hearings.

Not any more.

When the County Commission convenes the first of two budget sessions at 5 this evening, it is likely to be facing hundreds of property owners. Few, if any, will be smiling.

The county has cut nearly $9-million out of its spending plan as part of the legislative mandate to scale back property taxes, but some in the community say that's not nearly enough. They are expected to pack today's meeting to speak their minds.

That has led to some changes for today's hearing.

For starters, law enforcement will be out in force. The Sheriff's Office will have deputies inside the government center; Brooksville police officers will handle traffic problems outside.

Once the 150 seats inside the John Law Ayers Room on the first floor of the courthouse are filled, the overflow crowd will be directed to a first-floor courtroom or to the jury assembly room on the third floor. Residents can watch the meeting on television until their time to speak arrives.

Before the budget talks start, commissioners will discuss whether to increase the homestead exemption for low-income seniors. For the exemption to take effect in 2008, the board must approve it after a public hearing and notify the property appraiser by Dec. 1.

On Wednesday, commissioners pulled another early agenda item, a discussion of limerock roads. That was reset for the Sept. 25 meeting.

The budget hearing will begin with a formal presentation by the county staff. Then, the public will get their say.

As citizens enter the courthouse lobby, if they want to speak to the board, they can get a numbered ticket. As their number nears, they will be asked to move to the commission room. After speaking, they will be asked to move to the overflow areas to make room for other speakers.

Speakers generally get three minutes to talk and staffers will answer questions immediately rather than waiting for the end of the meeting, as usually happens during commission meetings.

After the public comments, the commissioners can amend the budget and will vote on a tax rate and the budget. Commissioners can change the budget up until their vote at the final budget hearing on Sept. 27.

The budget is funded largely by a tax rate of 6.7655 mills compared with last year's 7.8106. A mill is a dollar in tax for every $1,000 of appraised taxable property value. The owner of a $125,000 home with the $25,000 homestead exemption would pay $676.55 to support county services under that proposed rate compared with $781.06 at last year's rate.

The proposed general fund budget is $121.5-million compared with last year's $120.6-million, according to George Zoettlein, director of the office of management and budget. Last year's county budget was $434.2-million.

County salaries have been a hot topic this year. Staff members have proposed capping the amount of a raise that any one employee could receive at 3.5 percent this year. Commissioners heard from citizens about raises during their land use meeting on Wednesday, and they moved a decision on the issue to today's budget hearing.

Barbara Behrendt can be reached at behrendt@sptimes.com or 352 848-1434.

[Last modified September 12, 2007, 21:37:44]