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October 24th, 2007
NOTES
1. Every time we assess our fire service, we end up with a series of questions. A friend was mystified recently to find seven fire, police, and EVAC vehicles at a fender bender on AIA in New Smyrna Beach. If you remember, a recent blogger wrote about the large number of various public safety vehicles responding to emergency calls throughout the City. Why we wonder does the RCC call the fire department before the ambulance, and for most calls it would seem that the emergency call service has a good idea before any vehicle is dispatched as to whether any equipment is needed other than to write a police report. Large Cities do not dispatch police officers to minor automobile accidents. Certainly, you have seen those notices around major cities that say to move your vehicle off the traffic lanes, and if there is no injury, call us.
Moreover, why send a fire truck to a house when the call is that some one is dead, as apparently happened at Sugar Mill not long ago. Could we have a new set of protocols worked out by the fire and police departments, or are these calls necessary to justify the need for more fire and police resources?
2. We are still waiting to hear when the City will stop providing for fuel for police officers to commute farther than Edgewater and Port Orange. We do not believe that paying police officers to commute from Daytona Beach, DeLand, Ormond Beach, and Titusville is a reasonable expenditure of taxpayer money. Not only is the fuel and vehicle maintenance expensive, the wear and tear on the vehicles is also a consideration. Hover, we really do not expect the situation to change because it seems the Police Chief does not agree with us, and the current voting majority of City Commissioners will protect him from management pressure to do so.
1. “Jim, Jim, and Jim” is one of the campaign slogans now bruited about. So is “Lower the taxes, cut the spending, jobs and investments.” We were thinking that “Compassionate Integrity” had a good ring to it, but then what does it mean? Then the old saw “Words and not Deeds” keeps cropping up because we are dealing with politicians, and in the back of our minds, we think the slogan is really “Deeds and not Words.” Well it is like the guy trying out for a part in a play and as the villain shoots the heroine, he is to alert the police that a shot has been fired. He screams; “Hark, I heard a shostle pitt”, “no I mean a shistle pot.” He thinks for a second, and says, “Heck I didn't want the part anyway.” We want no part of the slogans.
2. We have been thinking about the blogger who came up with a far out analysis of why Kassi Mercy and Thomas C. Kelly got into the Zone 3 race. We think we know. They are shills for the Joker who plans to take over New Smyrna Beach, rename it Gotham City, and put only his relatives in important positions. Not only that, but the Joker will immediately pass an ordinance making it impossible for anyone but a relative to apply for important positions, either appointed or employed, because he likes the resonance of alliterative names: Ritchenberg-- Ritchenberg, Yancy--Yancy, and now Spangler--Mackay. Whoops, the Joker would probably make Spangler change his name since Mackay--Mackay would sound better to him. . . .
3. Smart politicians know how to avoid answering questions that they believe may hurt them at the polls. Our favorite non-response was Senator Warren G. Magnusson from the State of Washington back in the 1960's whose stock answer was “I am glad you asked me that question,” and then would move quickly to shake someone else's hand. We expect the same answer from a number of the candidates in this election on several of the questions we have posed, but a refusal to take a position about police cars that are used for commuting to other cities, buying more expensive vehicles than meets the requirement, and not deferring the construction of a needless multi million dollar fire house, in itself will tell you something. About the candidates. No one expects the fire department contract to be restructured with the wave of a wand, but if you are not willing to take a stand on what the goal of the negotiations should be, conclusions could be drawn that you like it as it is.
In Lieu of DEAR JOHN
THE SHADOW HAS DECIDED TO GIVE JOHN THE WEEK OFF. AFTER ALL, HE HAS BEEN FIGHTING WITH HIS DEPARTMENT HEADS TO REDUCE SPENDING WHILE TRYING TO SATISFY THE SPECIAL INTERESTS OF EACH COMMISSIONER. IN OUR VIEW, HE HAS BEEN RELATIVELY SUCCESSFUL, NOTWITHSTANDING ALL OF THE PRESSURES BROUGHT TO BEAR ON HIM, AND HIS LIMITED FINANCIAL STAFF.
IT IS INTERESTING TO NOTE THAT THE MAJORITY VOTING BLOCK OF COMMISSIONERS, GRASTY, RICHENBERG, AND PLASKETT, WERE QUICK TO CUT SPENDING FOR THE FINANCIAL DEPARTMENT, WHICH SORELY NEEDS IT, AND LOATHE TO CUT SPENDING FOR THEIR FAVORITES, FIRE, POLICE, PARKS AND RECREATION, AND DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES. SO BE IT UNTIL AFTER THE ELECTION. MAYBE THE BALANCE WILL CHANGE. IT IS YOUR CALL!
THE SHADOW
GOLDEN GEEKO AWARD
The intense competition by our local denizens for the Golden Geeko award of the week, given to the individual that has demonstrated their naivety or stupidity in the most inexplicable way, has become complicated and the reasons will be revealed as you read further.
First, we have the adviser to Kassi Mercy, not for having advised her to charge that her opponent does not live in Zone 3, which may be, but is probably not true, but for giving her opponent time to disprove her charge, if he can, almost a month before the primary. Real professionals make charges like this a few days before the election and, whether true or not, it works as a smear and unsettles the voters. The award would go to whoever he or she is because of bad timing.
Second, we have Fire Chief Hawver. Not for sending a non-statement of spending cuts when budget cuts looked imminent, but for not realizing that some of the people he was dealing with did not consider how bad he would look if he signed a piece of paper saying you could save money by stopping City employees, ones that he supervised, from abusing sick leave. The stupidity was trusting his friends and not complying with the memorandum
Third is Flop-Flip Commissioner Jack Grasty who must believe that two years from now no one will remember that he voted for the reappointment of Jeanne Diesen to the Utilities Commission, despite absolute proof that her mismanagement has cost the Utilities Commission over $15 million, and made our electric rates the highest in Florida. The most amazing thing about his vote is that Diesen arranged for Jack to be canned from the Utilities Commission, proving without a doubt that you can never figure out how Jack makes a decision, except that he always looks out for Jack and not his constituency.
Fourth is Commissioner Plaskett who tried to prevent the demotion of one of the four unneeded police commanders, to effect a reduction in the police budget, even though the commander would not suffer a loss of pay.
Fifth is for Bert Fish Community Hospital Board of Directors who thinks that the taxpayers are too dumb to figure out that they have raised their millage rate above the three percent inflation rate.
After much thought and consideration, the winner is Jack Grasty for facilitating more harm and generating more disappointment for his constituents. We thought he was a person of integrity and loyalty to his constituents throughout the City. However, all we can say is, this is your day Jack, bask in the light of your notoriety and self interest.
ISSUES ISSUES ISSUES
The name of the game of the candidates in this election, as the last several elections, is to distract voters from the real issues confronting this Cit, and to mire everyone down in questions that can not be resolved quickly, and have a buzz word component. Traditionally, they have focused on land use issues, one of which is building an I-95 access ramp at Pioneer Trail.
The real issue is their commitment to cut back taxes and return government to the size it was back in 2001, modified by inflation and growth. Spending must be cut. How about a frank discussion about that fire station the fire department “needs” for which there is no justification. Why is that on the agenda? That item alone is $5 million for starters with a large debt service bill for the next 20 years. Will they ever say that we live in a Florida that has a tax and spend problem, and a city that has the highest rates in the State (45 days in a row of 95 degree heat and honey, you cannot have a chinchilla coat)? The Shadow published a list of issues. Give us answers you think Governor Crist would support.
IT’S NOT THEIR MONEY
The budget approved buy all five Commissioners for Fiscal year 2008, includes a 2% across the board increase for all city employees, that translates into an increased direct salary expense of $120,000, and an additional benefit cost of $54,000 for the City, i.e. this 2% increased cost you $174,000. Last year these same five elected officials gave all employees an even larger across the board increase of 6.5%, that translates into an increased direct salary expense of $300,000, and an additional benefit cost of $134,000 to the City, i.e. this 6.5% increased cost you $434,000. Inflation in 2006 was about 4% and 2.7% so far in 2007, 6.7% for the two years, while the across the board increases total 8.5%. The Mayor and all four Commissioners voted for this budget. It is not their money, so what is their motivation to be frugal with your money? We think they should be concerned about how you will vote in the upcoming election. However, based on your voting history, they are not concerned, because you do not go to the polls in large numbers. However, if you are unhappy with their performance, register and vote in this election and send them a message about your concern for how they spend your money! Not only did your city commission approve a 2% increase for all city employees, they also approved the Utilities Commission budget with its 3 1/2% across the board increase, rewarding a management that now has the highest electric rates in Florida. We would like to know what the four non-incumbent candidates for office this year would approve in the next budget. They could eliminate this increase on the 25th.
W-2S REVISITED
The W-2's published over the last few weeks are again presented this week as an EXCEL file so that you can manipulate the data as you wish. Additionally, we provide a number of analyses regarding pay and benefits. We have added charts in columns showing each employee and the percentage of increase that includes the benefit package for each employee. NEW LINK
POSTER CHILDREN
There is no question that the Shadow has a couple of Poster Children that we believe epitomizes the governmental defects in our fair City. Some of our citizens believe that the Utility bill you get every month represents big time looting of one of the City's prime assets, while others just smell a the bad odor of mismanagement, needless waste, or arrogance on the part of appointed and/or elected officials who are pigging out at the public trough. We do not intend to list all of them, but think when you go to vote this year, you should consider that only one of the incumbents supports and votes for continuation of these gosh awful affronts to our collective sensibilities. This City Commission, for the last two years, has mostly operated as a bifurcated unit. Plaskett and Ritchenberg have been able to thwart a large number of initiatives to correct some of these aberrations because in a crunch they can count on Flop-Flip Jack to support their point of view. Three out of five wins every time.
The current agenda for the Diesen-Barck machine is to consolidate further their position running candidates against the Mayor and Commissioner Hathaway who, if defeated, further solidifies their control of the City Commission and ensures the direction in which they believe the City should take.
This brings us to our poster children.
BIG MONEY: Your Utility bill, Cindy Ritchenberg, the fire department contract, the inordinate top heavy Police Department, construction of the unneeded fire station, the Taj Mahal police station, the Angler's Club lease and assessment, and keeping the RCC service to name a few,
PERCEPTION: All those SUV's, take home police cars sleeping out of town, Liz Yancey and John Yancey, the CRA.
FIRE DEPARTMENT STAFFING LEVELS
The issue has been joined in both Edgewater and New Smyrna Beach as to whether it is necessary to have three fire fighters in each station 24/7. Remember this is not a question of standards but guidelines, established by groups actively under the control of the “experts” who, in almost all cases, are former fireman or representatives of their union. It is also a question of cost. This is not to say that those who want a third fireman in every fire house may not have validity, but it means that one has every reason to examine them as no more than suggestions based upon what the community receives in benefits for the extra cost, i.e. the benefit versus the cost of providing that benefit.
Personnel in fire stations are almost invariably static. They are not adjusted by frequency of calls or their location. All three of our stations usually are provided the same staffing level, even if most of the calls are from one sector of the city, or bunched at a specific time of day.
The original basis for the third fireman, was that if there a structural fire, no fireman may enter the structure unless four fire fighters on the scene (Some would argue that there should be four at each station at all times). Two may enter the structure and two remain outside for safety reasons. Obviously, three on a truck cannot meet that “guideline, so multiple pieces of equipment are dispatched that may be staffed by two or three fire fighters per vehicle. As the guideline is to have four fire fighters at a structural fire, there is no need to provide three on a vehicle rather than two. This is particularly true where the stations are in close proximity such as in New Smyrna and Edgewater. On one occasion, a house fire in Silver Sands had fire vehicles from Silver Sands, New Smyrna, and Edgewater. Now, the so-called “rules” vary, and if a human life is at risk it not mandatory to maintain two fire fighters outside, furthermore, there has not been a fire in Southeast Volusia County in recent years where “trapped” individuals were rescued.
So if three does not really make a significant difference over two because of the two in, two out, concept, what other justification is there? The fire Chief in Port Orange stated that a structural fire needed 14 fire fighters on site for proper fire fighting. For arguments sake we accept this statement. That would mean seven vehicles would be required instead of five if there were two on a truck instead of three. Interestingly enough, in a house fire last week, less than a few blocks from a Port Orange fire station, we are told that the house burned to the ground. There does not seem to be any correlation between the thought that having equipment on the scene quickly, necessarily means that you can put out the fire. And then of course there are so few structural fires to begin with (18 in New Smyrna Beach out of a total of 119 fire calls in 2006), that three on a truck is gold plating, and provides little to additional protection for a large additional cost. Remember too, none of these stations is staffed based upon frequency and time of calls, as is the case of the County EVAC service, which has half the vehicles on the road when statistics show little or no calls.
Since the case for extra firefighters can not be made based on fire calls, fire departments turn to their medical/rescue operation to justify the third person. Here is how that argument works. First, we send the fire truck whether we need it or not, like the fender bender on 27th Avenue and A1A a couple of weeks ago, where 7 vehicles and 15 personnel including EVAC were on the scene (small cut to someone’s wrist and no trip to the hospital). Now consider a serious accident and the EVAC vehicle is off to the hospital. The “rule” is that a third person from a fire vehicle must go to the hospital—the so-called two EMTs in the van with the patient. It is a guideline touted by fire departments, and now in some State or County protocols. Therefore, the argument goes that if you only had two on the truck, it would be useless until that fire fighter who went off to the hospital returned. First, that is not a very long time, since a taxi is dispatched immediately to return the fireman, and the length of time the fire vehicle is understaffed is minimal. Secondly, in the rare case where there would be a call while the fireman is on “EVAC” duty, the cab could take the fireman to the fire truck’s destination. Third, the statistics are diminimus for showing any loss in operational capacity in those few cases where a fire fighter goes with EVAC equipment.
However, the real proof of the pudding is that in order to put an end to the abuse of sick leave, both jurisdictions for apparently the last 8 months have not called in replacement personnel when a fire fighter called in sick. This has saved each City, between $125,000-$150,000 in 2007, and there has been no loss in coverage. Many fire stations have operated with only two staff for a long time, and there is no evidence that this has reduced the level public safety.
In the final analysis, the major question is how much the society is willing to pay for the minimal additional protection provided by these additional personnel. We do not have a statistical base for the number of times it would make a difference if three men were on a fire truck, but we estimate that the number of times that a fire fighter is on an EVAC vehicle is extremely small, and the time away from the truck on an annual basis equates to about two days. To us, it does not seem reasonable to pay for the additional person cost of maintaining an additional person in each station 365 days a year.
Edgewater and New Smyrna Beach are right on the mark for reducing their staffing level.
UTILITIES COMMISSION FINANCING?
The Utilities Commission budget approved by the City Commissioners two weeks ago apparently authorizes the Utilities Commission to borrow money to pay its daily bills and salaries. The deal appears to be that there is not enough revenue to cover monthly expenses, you know, like you not having enough money to cover the groceries, so that you do some imaginative borrowing to cover up your failure to collect enough to pay your monthly bills. This is like increasing your mortgage to pay the rent, or to increase the mortgage so that you can go to Publix or Winn-Dixie and buy ice cream for the kids. It is deficit financing that some how or other we thought was prohibited by State law, as well as a terrible way to run a business. The City authorized them to borrow from the City's $10,000,000 State available fund for anything the City did not borrow for its own short term need.
Now we thought utilities were supposed to enough money through their rates to cover operating and capital expenses, and, if a for profit organization, make a profit. Our New Smyrna Beach Utilities Commission did that until the advent of the Diesen, Para, Spangler coup, but that is not apparently how we currently operate. They have clobbered the reserves, transferring them around to cover bad management practices. Interestingly, we seem to have declared almost our entire physical plant in need of immediate replacement. That is like saying that every car currently owned by the police department must be replaced immediately, not because it is not functioning but we think that they are old. That was why we needed a huge UC bond issue that was, in the Shadow's opinion, just another way to make the UC look less attractive financially and ensure higher rates in the future. Now, since the only other way for them to get revenue for their daily shortfall in revenue and lack of reserves are rate increases before the election next month, the Diesen machine has obviously decided to avoid rate increases and borrow money for the interim.
By the way, Diesen asked the City Commission to rescind the obscene Ordinance used to gut the Utilities Commission of competent management three years ago. “Flop-flip” Jack voted to rescind it. It was the ordinance used to boot him. Isn't that a gas?
They think we are stupid. They are counting on it.
“Best Blog of the Week”
(Edited for grammar and punctuation)
A POTPOURRI OF CITIZEN COMMENTS IS
AGAIN PROVIDED THIS WEEK IN ORDER
FOR YOU TO GET IN TUNE WITH THE
MOOD OF OUR READERS
- If you compare our UC rates with other utilities in central Florida, we are paying $50.00 a month more for electricity. Why doesn't the city do something about the UC?
- There is no need at this time to "slow growth.” The building industry has busted. The investors have left the city. Businesses are boarding up and going out of business. We have no growth. What the city commission is doing is destroying property values and losing lawsuits. When everything stops you become a "not hot" area and everyone goes some place else for a vacation and to retire. The prices of our houses are going to stop dropping like a rock. The city commission does not get it. We have a major problem with our property values. The people like Mackey and Richenberg could cost you $50,000 in lost of your net worth this year.
- The city commission has nothing to do with your property values, just mis-managing your property taxes, and failing to balance a budget. Try the idiot realtors and less than scrupulous builders
- Class of '72 No way will we give Sally a try! Not too pleased with "TOOTIE,” but don't want the North Beach girls running our city! I hear they have a telephone committee trying to persuade folks to vote for their buddies. Sally is not good news!
The problem is jack didn't do what was best for his constituents...he did what he thought would get him the help to be re-elected. Just suck up to Diesen and she would take care of Jackie boy. All he did was fill a lot of us with resolve that he won't have our help & means next go around... HEY JACK REALLY HOW MANY PEOPLE CALLED YOU AND SAID RE-APPOINT JEANIE DIESEN?TELL US
- Last night the Bert Fish Hospital Board voted to INCREASE the hospital tax millage rate and voted to ACCEPT the new budget that deemed the increase necessary. When asked about why they needed to increase the millage rate to get more money they said “We are the safety net for the indigent patients in this area " How do the other hospitals in other counties in the area (Orlando in Orange County for example) offer indigent care without any hospital tax??? As far as I know, there are only three counties in the STATE that even have a Hospital Tax! Is there Federal or State money that could be made available for this hospital and do away with the tax? The governor appoints all the board members. Sounds fishy but then again it is Bert FISH Hospital.
- I don't think our current crop on the commission can see that they can't control the city's budget without controlling these union salaries. Their mindset seems to be that if building slows down (or stops) the city should therefore immediately increase permit fees to make up for the loss in city revenue! Never mind about cutting city spending. This is like trying to spend yourself into prosperity! IT ISN'T GOING TO WORK! In fact, the more they increase permit fees and impact fees etc. etc. etc., the more protracted this building slump will become, and the more it will hurt average folks. HAS ANY CITY CANDIDATE TAKEN ECONOMICS 101? DO THEY EVEN KNOW WHAT IT'S ABOUT?
- This is funny. Sally Mackay is a highly opinionated person. She is offensively opinionated. But her website, she says nothing! She does not say one thing the current mayor has done that she would do differently. Where did she buy that website? Old hag in a box?
- All you have to do is look around NSB. With out of control taxes, the high paid grass catcher, high dollar Parks and Recs refuse collector truck, too much staff/supervision in all departments, loads of property that can not sell, the large Hangar storage building being built on North Causeway, Restaurant business way down, etc. etc. Then you realize why so much of our leadership do not care about us or listen to us and just vote anyway they want. Let us all get out and vote for someone and just maybe our politicians will wake up that we are sick and tired of business as usual.
BUSINESS INVESTMENT
Perspective and balance are two of the major intellectual faculties that must be considered when evaluating candidates for public office. First, one must determine the integrity of the individual, as it may or may not be above reproach, and whether that individuPerspective and balance are two of the major intellectual faculties that must be considered when evaluating candidates for public office. First, one must determine the integrity of the individual, as it may or may not be above reproach, and whether that individual delivers or will deliver on campaign promises, if elected, to the benefit of the community. They can be separated, but not divorced. They can be imprecisely balanced, but never frozen in time. Change directly affects the balance of both the individual and the society.
Politicians who have been around for a long time carry a backpack of successes and failures, and many of their decisions that may have been wise or prudent at the time they were made, seem stupid or self serving today. Take the Mayor for instance, he apparently has occasionally benefited from early knowledge of real estate ventures, and, considering that his wife has recently entered the business, has availed himself of a few deals that have not appeared ethical to some of his constituents. Nothing illegal, however, but, perhaps as some would say, not beyond reproach. No question that he voted beyond reproach for, or went along with fire department pressure for wages and that needless new fire station. Nonetheless, he sees the need for rescission of certain actions that happened on his watch. He now sees the folly of firing the prior City Attorney, which he voted against; and reappointing Jean Diesen to a second term at the Utilities Commission after observing her gross mismanagement and what some have said is looting of the operation, which he also voted against; and admitting that he had agreed to increased spending when the money rolled in, but now that times were lean he supports both tax and spending cuts; and at a recent meeting voted to throw out a couple of ill advised zoning proposals that have already caused a chunk of the business community to think of New Smyrna Beach as not interested in investment or tourists. Does this make him a great candidate? No, but, he has certainly understood taxpayer dissatisfaction with business as usual, and has, with his actions, stated that even if he was part of what had caused the problem, he was now part of the solution. It is for the voters to decide the honesty of his current approach and whether he can be trusted to carry it out. His past suggests a moderate who has strayed from fiscally responsible positions but has now seen the light, and his platform now is fiscal restraint and encouraging business investment and tourism.
The other candidate, Sally Mackay, is part of a consortium of groups who not only want to limit investment and turn the clock back to more undeveloped days, when New Smyrna Beach was not inviting to large scale investment, but also to regulate how you paint your house and how you repair it if damaged.(See article in Sept. 17th issue). Her proposals are to limit tourism and keep us essentially a small property owner based economy. Her allies include those who have participated in the gross mismanagement of the Utilities Commission (her husband is the Utilities Commission chairman and votes with Diesen), the “Save the Charm” stalwarts from the central city who want you to obtain approval of the color and permission before painting your house, and the Richenbergs, Randy the City Commissioner who wants no money spent on repairing the beach, and his wife Cindy who knocks down $91,000 in pay and $63,000 in benefits as a fire department employee. These are facts. Grayce Barck sent out the letter demanding Jeanne Diesen be reappointed to the Utilities Commission, and she is one of Sally's chief supporters in the North Peninsula group. Janice Baum, the current chairman of the Save the Charm, is Sally's campaign manager, and they have Mrs. Mercy running against Commissioner Hathaway. As chair of the Planning and Zoning Board, Mackay put through those proposed ordinances that forbid rebuilding or repairing condominiums on the beach. This slate wants to limit business investment. They have been successful so far because they have run underwater. Do not forget that they already have had two solid votes for their agenda on the City Commission, Richenberg and Plaskett, as well as Grasty's when they need him. They have clearly controlled various City Boards, and it explains the stream of ordinances that will restrict your rights. They may be successful in the future because that may be what the voters want. However, have no illusions, this election is not whether the Mayor is a good guy, and squeaky clean, it is about where this City is going and who is going to take it there.al delivers or will deliver on campaign promises, if elected, to the benefit of the community. They can be separated, but not divorced. They can be imprecisely balanced, but never frozen in time. Change directly affects the balance of both the individual and the society.
THE FOLLOWING IS PROVIDED AS A PUBLIC SERVICE FOR THOSE OF YOU INTERESTED IN THE UPCOMING CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT VOTE!
Volusia Tax Reform is going to begin a series of email blasts to educate the citizens on the January 29, 2008 ballot for tax reform. The email blasts will contain information on the following areas of tax reform that has been and may be implemented if the January 29, 2008 ballot amendment passes. The following is a brief synopsis of the educational effort:
Phase I:
Millage/Tax Rate Reduction
*The legislature is requiring immediate millage/tax rate reductions.*Tax rate reductions will be required of cities and counties for tax year 2007-2008. Public schools are not required to reduce their tax rate under this proposal.*Reduced Tax Rate (Rollback) will reflect 2006 2007 revenue levels plus an additional cut based upon a local government’s five year history of property taxes.*Local governments may override the tax rate reduction by a supermajority vote of the governing body.What does this mean regarding my property?
*This year’s tax savings depends upon the taxing district in which your property is located, and if any reappraisal has occurred.*Future tax rates are capped using a formula of growth in personal income statewide and new construction as guides.*Tax rates determined by this formula may be overridden by local government.*Failure to comply with revenue caps will cost cities/counties sales tax revenue from state government.Phase II:
Constitutional amendment will take affect if voters approve it on January 29, 2008 and will reflect in your tax bill for November, 2008.
*Permanent spending cap on local governments.*Forced millage reductions.*Existing Save Our Home owners can keep Save Our Homes Exemption.*New “Super Exemption” for new or existing home owners. Homeowners who opt out of the Save Our Homes and current $25,000.00 homestead exemption, will opt into a new “super sized” homestead exemption. The first $200,000.00 of value will be 75% exempt from taxation (i.e., $150,000.00 exemption and pay tax on only 25 percent of the value, i.e., $50,000.00. At 2007 current millage rate tax on a $200,000.00 home would be about $1,000.00.). There will be a minimum exemption of $50,000.00. The next $300,000.00 of value will have an additional 15% exemption from taxation. The maximum amount of the new “super exemption” will be $195,000.00 for a home worth $500,000.00 or above.*School taxes will be capped with this amendment.*Allows Floridians to “move” without penalty, creates equity for all residents.*New $100,000.00 exemption for senior citizens 65 years or older with an income of $24,000.00 a year or less, excluding social security benefits.*New “business exemption” of $25,000.00 for all Tangible Personal Property filers. Eliminates over 40,000 tax payers in Volusia County.*Tax relief for owners and renters through changing how properties are assessed. For example, currently assessed as “highest and best use” to “value in use.” Applies to rental houses, mobile homes and all types of rental properties.*Tax relief for Working Waterfront properties through “value in use” as opposed to “highest and best use.” This applies to properties such as marinas and commercial fishing docks.*If approved by the voters, the relief provided by the Constitutional Amendment would take effect January 1, 2008.Please be on the look out for these educational email blasts.
Margie
Margie Patchett * Waterside Title Co. * 640 Dunlawton Ave * Port Orange, FL 32127
Phone: 386-788-1335 Fax: 386-756-0662
