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F4= <br />rollback calculation. Mr. Barton stated that on the average <br />taxes should increase approximately 10% for this fund,and <br />noted that the average assessment in the County went up 22%. <br />Mr. Barton then went on to list the major reasons for <br />the proposed increase in the General Fund: <br />(1) the salaries and fringe benefit package <br />(2) energy costs, and <br />(3) durable hard goods or capital purchases. <br />A gentleman in the audience inquired why taxes have <br />increased 30% in two years and why the County's expenses <br />have gone up so much. He suggested that the Commission cut <br />out a few frills and talked about Proposition 13 which was <br />instituted in California. <br />O. Falcone of Vero Highlands stated that the assessment <br />on his home was raised $15,000 last year and now has gone to <br />$48,000, but he did not believe he could get that for a home <br />in a neighborhood that has run down. The Chairman advised <br />Mr. Falcone to file an appeal with the Property Appraisal <br />Adjustment Board. <br />William Koolage, county resident, felt people are very <br />confused by the talk about millage rollback, etc., and he <br />believed that what the Commission should be talking about is <br />how much money they are going to spend, which is the basic <br />issue from which all the rest is a derivative. He wished <br />the Finance Officer would give the public figures on the <br />dollars projected to be raised by property taxes this year <br />as compared to last year. He felt the preliminary figures <br />indicate there was a 20% increase, or in other words, the <br />county is spending more. Mr. Koolage continued that there <br />is an inflation factor of 11%, and he suggested that the <br />Commission not budget for expenditures in excess of the <br />inflation index. Mr. Koolage felt that the county must <br />concentrate on such services as fire protection, police, <br />etc., and do away with the little things that are not <br />needed. <br />C <br />BOOK 47 PAGE 856 <br />