Property Tax Notices Are Arriving

Have you received your 2009 property tax notice? I got mine the Monday when Tropical Storm Fay hit. That was a real irony when I opened it and saw the numbers.

I was expecting my taxes to go down some, but more than just the 1% when I looked at the bottom line. We were promised relief with the state tax bill that went through earlier this year. I knew it was not going to be an end all solution, but after the gouging local municipalities have done through the real estate boom years they needed to be roped in.

So what are some of the reasons behind this:

• The appraiser increased the assessed value by the maximum 3% allowed under law even though property prices are depressed (to be kind). Why? The assessed value is still under the market value. Most people will probably fall into this unless you bought in the last year or two. (The market value on the statement was down 20% which added to the depression on Monday...)
• The new $50K homestead is not visible. There is an explanation on the back that it is in the calculations but difficult to calculate. Okay it might be complicated but I did test out of college calculus. At least give me a chance! The citizens should have transparency to see the deduction. (Could we apply the Sunshine law here?)
• City of Fort Lauderdale charges for fire and debt have gone up over last year. Basically they raised the tax rates. (It is also ironic how they have open positions and threatened to cut services despite all of the new condos and apartments downtown.)
• What happened to putting the millage rate on the tax bill? Is Lori Parrish scared to show the ugly truth that the government is just raising the rate on us? The truth is the local governments raised the tax rates on us.

The local governments had a boom in revenues for several years as property values increased and people upgraded their homes or made investments in real estate. Now they are going through lean times just like everyone. It appears that they still have not learned anything about fiscal management. They continue to want more money.

You and I know that in good times we have to save some of the surplus for lean times. The City of Fort Lauderdale needs to tighten their belts just like us. Now I am not saying to cut back basic services like education, police and fire but cut government waste and things that can be deferred (i.e. more pavers in the street).

At least the citizens will elect a new city government in March. Hopefully we can bring some sanity back to managing the city's finances.