Politics

Tax vote motivates mobile home owners

If the tax plan wins Jan. 29, the tangible tax on additions will be cut.

By MIKE DONILA, Times Staff Writer
Published November 9, 2007

ADVERTISEMENT [Jim Damaske | Times] Largo mobile home owners Ervin and Marilyn Lance support a property tax provision to drop the tangible tax on mobile home additions such as carports and screened porches.

The prospect of saving a few bucks from a tax cut has energized mobile home residents across Florida.

When the Legislature last month signed off on a plan to slash property taxes, it included a little-discussed provision that could give close to 1-million mobile home owners - about 75,000 of them in the Tampa Bay area - a slight break.

Now, groups like the Florida Manufactured Home Association, the Federation of Manufactured Home Owners of Florida and the Alliance of Park Residents are spreading the word through newsletters and e-mails.

Some observers think this oft-ignored voting bloc could be the key to gaining the 60 percent voter approval for the tax cuts to become law.

"Anything is possible in an election that's probably going to have a low voter turnout, and this may very well be the issue that gets those folks in mobile homes, well, mobilized," said University of Florida political science professor Daniel Smith, a specialist on ballot measures. "You typically don't see mobile home owners excited by many of the issues, but this very well may be one. There are considerable savings for them."

Industry representatives say the average mobile homeowner will save $100 a year. That number is a little high, though, for the bay area where homeowners will save, on average, a little more than $34.

"Lately the politicians have been going after the condo vote. The mobile home owners have been the unwanted stepchild," said Travis Moore, a lobbyist and consultant who represents condo and mobile home associations. "I think that could change."

Mobile home owners who own the homes but rent the lots now pay the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles an annual registration fee, usually between $55 and $400 depending on the home's size. Then the county property appraiser's office sends them a tangible tax bill for any additions, like a storage shed, carport or porch.

If voters approve the January amendment, these homeowners would no longer have to pay the taxes for tangible personal property assessed at up to $25,000.

Pushing the vote

"We are getting the word out fast and furious," said Tony Pinzone, 69, a member of the board of directors for the Alliance of Park Residents.

His group, which has roughly 10,000 members on the east coast, is reaching out to parks in Miami and on the west coast. It is also drafting a newsletter championing the tax break.

Pinzone, who lives in Bay Indies mobile home park in Venice, said his homeowners association is also encouraging snowbirds to change their residency to Florida so they can vote.

The exemption's total impact, which also includes businesses, would affect about 1.3-million accounts, saving taxpayers $223-million, according to preliminary numbers released by the Florida Department of Revenue. Tampa Bay area owners would save a combined $1.9-million.

The provision was part of the Legislature's first tax cut plan, which a judge threw off the ballot for being misleading.

State Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, said lawmakers left the provision in the new property tax plan "because it was one of the originals." He added that leaders like it because it "provides help to those who need it most," low-income residents, mostly seniors on fixed-incomes.

He added that the provision "will go a long way to getting the amendment to the 60-percent level it needs to pass."

He can at least count on a number of Largo residents living in the Down Yonder park, including Lilly Russo, 84, Ervin Lance, 83, and wife Marilyn, who moved last year from Ohio to Florida to be closer to family.

"This would be a nice thing," said Russo, as she painted the front of the home where she's lived for 12 years. "Every little bit is going to help."

Marilyn Lance, 82, agreed, adding that "it's especially tough for those with just one income. I'm glad to find out about it, to know that there are people who care about us."

If the provision passes, Russo would save $25 a year and the Lances would save $30. Others in the park could save as much as $100.

Appraisers back it

In addition to mobile home owners, property appraisers across the bay area like the provision. They say the accounts represent a large percentage of a county's tangible personal property accounts but contribute only a small portion of the actual revenue. Collecting the accounts is not very cost effective, and if the provision is approved, staff could go after larger tax accounts.

The tangible tax cut is part of a bigger tax plan the voters will decide on in the Jan. 29 referendum.

The plan has three major components: raising the $25,000 homestead exemption; allowing people to keep their accrued Save Our Homes benefits when they move; and imposing a 10 percent annual cap on nonhomestead assessments.

Fast facts

How the provision would work

Mobile home owners who lease their lots currently pay the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles an annual registration fee, usually between $55 and $400. Then the county property appraiser's office sends them a tangible tax bill for any additions, like a storage shed, carport or porch. If voters approve the amendment in January, mobile home owners would no longer have to pay the taxes for tangible personal property assessed at up to $25,000.

The effect around Tampa Bay

If the tax reform package is approved, thousands of mobile home owners would no longer pay the tangible tax. Here's a look at the number of mobile home accounts that would fall off tax rolls and the average savings for each owner.

Pinellas County: 15,236/$33.75

Pasco County: 20,221/$59.35

Hillsborough County: 12,600/$5

Hernando County: 2,755/$39.20

[Last modified November 9, 2007, 00:13:32]