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Bradford freezes tax rate
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| By: Mark J. Crawford, Editor |
July 23, 2009 |
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Bradford County Commissioners voted to leave the property tax rate alone at their meeting last week.
The tentative millage rate approved for 2009-10 was 9.1769 mills, the same as the current year.
Unlike in recent years when local governments were restricted by the Legislature with regard to raising the local tax rate, there were no limits or consequences tied to raising property taxes this year. Even with that being the case, the proposed budget presented to the county commission by County Clerk Ray Norman was based on the existing millage rate and not a fraction of a mill more.
Commissioner Ross Chandler said the best thing the board could do for taxpayers in these economic times is not to raise the tax rate.
"We'll find a way to live within the means of this budget," Chandler said.
The other commissioners agreed.
By setting a tentative millage, the board has capped its ability to raise additional revenue by raising the tax rate. While the board cannot raise the tax rate as the budgeting process begins, it could still choose to lower the rate.
One mill will be worth $856,536 in the coming budget. Total millage is expected to bring in $7.86 million, including $5.9 million for the general fund and $1.71 million for fines and forfeitures, plus much smaller amounts for emergency medical services and the health department.
That's slightly more than a mill was worth in 2008-09. This year's one-mill levy was worth $852,480, bringing the total 9.1769-mill levy to $7.82 million.
The proposed budget is nearly $34.1 million, but has a revenue deficit of nearly $978,000. The board's general fund is short almost $325,000, and the road department is short around $653,000.
All other departments are balanced, including the sheriff's office, which has a proposed $5.29 million budget for 2009-10, up slightly from this year.
Overall, the proposed budget is higher than the nearly $32.3 million budgeted this year.
A raise for employees, usually 3 percent, is not included in the proposed budget, however, and Norman said no new agency requests have been added. No new money was allocated for the fire departments, and less spending has been proposed for the county commission, clerk's office, building and zoning, and the library, among other areas.
Some departments have more money allocated, including the road department (not fully funded yet) and emergency medical services.
A static tax rate does not mean a property owner won't pay more in taxes than the previous year. If the value of their property increases, that can lead to a higher tax bill as well. On the other hand, if the taxable value of the property decreases, that could lower a property owner's tax bill.
The taxable value of properties in Bradford County, in so far as the county commission is concerned, is more than $856.5 million, according to Property Appraiser Jimmy Alvarez. For the school board that number is much higher-almost $945.6 million-since most of the tax caps and additional exemptions affecting counties did not apply to school boards, which also levy property taxes.
Alvarez said this has created a situation where there are different taxable value figures for different taxing districts, including municipalities.
A troubled real estate market might have lowered the county's taxable value, but Alvarez said that was more than offset by $15.7 million in net new taxable value, which represents new construction appearing for the first time on the tax rolls.
"We have been a little bit insulated from some of the big reductions in value that some parts of the state have had. We've seen a decrease, but not as much as other areas," Alvarez said.
TRIM notices are expected to be mailed out mid August. The county's public budget hearings will be at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 17, and Monday, Sept. 28.
The Value Adjustment Board meeting for those challenging the valuation of their property is Thursday, Oct. 8. Petitions to the Value Adjustment Board can be downloaded at www.bradfordappraiser.com.
In other business:
* A proclamation was read in support of the 631st Maintenance Company, which is being deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and approved by the board.
* The board agreed to advertise for 40-by-60-foot metal building with three truck bays to serve as the fire station for the Sampson City Volunteer Fire Department.
Get home buying assistance
A new SHIP housing strategy was approved by the county. The Florida Homebuyer Opportunity Program allows first-time homebuyers to use a new federal tax credit worth up to $8,000 for a down payment on the purchase of a home. These down payment assistance loans can by repaid by the homebuyer's income tax refund.
Applications can be submitted to the Bradford County SHIP office between Aug. 24 and Dec. 1. Maximum income limit must not exceed $75,000 for an individual or $150,000 for joint-filing households.
The maximum purchase price limit of a home was also raised to $258,690.
A workshop for interested individuals will be held Thursday, July 30, at 6:30 p.m. in the county commission meeting room in the north wing of the courthouse.
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©Bradford County Telegraph 2010
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