HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-014I
RESOLUTION NO, 2011- 014
A RESOLUTION BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA, IN OPPOSITION TO
INCREASING DISCOUNT RATES FOR EARLY PAYMENT OF
PROPERTY TAXES CONTAINED IN SENATE BILL 270 AND
HOUSE BILL 511
WHEREAS, currently, 197.162 F.S. provides a 4% discount to
property owners who pay their property taxes in full by November 30,
a 3% discount if the taxes are paid by December 31, a 2% discount if
the taxes are paid by January 31 and a 1% discount if the taxes are
paid by February 28; and
WHEREAS, Senate Bill 270 proposes to amend 197.162 F.S. to
provide for a 100% increase in the discount rates for early payment
of property taxes as follows: an 8% discount to property owners who
pay their property taxes in full by November 30, a 6% discount if the
taxes are paid by December 31, a 4% discount if the taxes are paid by
January 31 and a 2% discount if the taxes are paid by February 28;
and
WHEREAS, 197.222 F.S. also provides discounts for early payment
of taxes by property owners who pay their estimated taxes by the
installment method as follows: a 6% discount to property owners who
pay one quarter of their estimated property taxes by June 30, a 4.5%
discount if the second installment of taxes is paid by September 30
and a 3 % discount if the third installment of taxes is paid by
December 31; and
WHEREAS, Senate Bill 270 also proposes to amend 197.222 F.S. to
increase the discounts for early payment of taxes by property owners
who pay their estimated taxes by the installment method as follows: a
12% discount to property owners who pay one quarter of their
estimated property taxes by June 30, a 9% discount if the second
installment of taxes is paid by September 30, a 6 % discount if the
third installment taxes is paid by December 31; and
WHEREAS, Senate Bill 270 also proposes to amend 200.065 F.S. to
lower the percentage of certified taxable value to be used by taxing
authorities in preparing tentative budgets from 95% to 91%; and
WHEREAS, House Bill 511 also proposes to amend 197.162 F.S. to
increase the discount rate for early tax payments to provide for a
10% discount for payments received by November 30 but eliminates all
other discounts; and
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RESOLUTION NO, 2011- 014
WHEREAS, if enacted, Senate Bill 270 would result in
approximately $3.7 million in lost revenue for Indian River County,
not including the independent taxing districts; and
WHEREAS, if enacted, House Bill 511 would result in
approximately $3.6 million in lost revenue for Indian River County
not including the independent taxing districts; and
WHEREAS, if enacted, Senate Bill 270 would impact Indian River
County's budget by creating an instant shortfall of approximately
$3.7 million in lost revenue; and
WHEREAS, Senate Bill 270 and House Bill 511 would drastically
affect every School District slashing millions from education, and
WHEREAS, the health safety and welfare of the citizens and
visitors would be affected by Senate Bill 270 and House Bill 511 in
that dependent and independent taxing districts such as hospital
districts, water management districts, mosquito control districts,
emergency services districts, water control districts would have to
reduce services creating a loss of medical care and an increased risk
of fires, floods and mosquito born illnesses; and
WHEREAS, if either of these bills are enacted, it will result in
increases in ad valorem millage rates for certain expenditures, such
as voter approved bond issues, Municipal Service Taxing or Benefit
Units which would disproportionately place a greater tax burden on
lower income residents; and
WHEREAS, these pieces of legislation create an unwarranted
intrusion into the County's budget process; and
WHEREAS, these pieces of legislation are unfunded mandates
passed down to Counties from the House and Senate; and
WHEREAS, the Bill does not provide any funding to the counties
to provide for the changes in.the law; and
WHEREAS, the amendments to the existing law put a
disproportionately greater burden on counties with smaller
populations than larger urban counties,
NOW,
THEREFORE
BE
IT
RESOLVED,
BY
THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS
OF
INDIAN RIVER
COUNTY, FLORIDA
that:
1. The Board states its opposition to House Bill 551 and Senate
Bill 270; and
2
RESOLUTION NO, 2011-014
2. The Board asks the Legislative Delegation
opposition to these two pieces of legislation.
This resolutionwas moved for adoption by
O'Bryan , and the motion was seconded by
Flescher and upon being put to a vote, the
follows:
Chairman Bob Solari Aye
Vice Chairman Gary C. Wheeler Nay
Commissioner Wesley S. Davis Nay
Commissioner Joseph E. Flescher Aye
Commissioner Peter D. O'Bryan Aye
to voice its
Commissioner
Commissioner
vote was as
The Chairman thereupon declared the resolution duly passed and
adopted this 1st day of March, 2011.
Attest: J. K. Barton, Clerk
By
Deputy Cler
Approved as
sufficiency:
to form and legal
'William K. DeBraal
Deputy County Attorney
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA
Board of County Commissioners
go
W
Bob Solari, Chairman