Melbourne Area Blog

Florida voter's approved the Property Tax amendment yesterday with a 65% "Yes". Going into yesterday the polls suggested that the 60% majority to pass would fail.

This should send a message that Florida voter's want tax relief.

And it is just a beginning as the Florida Taxation and Budget Commission (which meets every 20 years) is in session and is sure to have several proposals to go on the ballot in November.

I take exception to the Editorial in today's issue of Florida Today titled "Treacherous Waters" on several points.

It states that the amendment passed although it gives the most tax relief to to those who need it least, longtime Florida residents. I take exception to this as I have spoken with many seniors, mostly now single, with a house too large for them to maintain, and on a fixed income. These seniors could not afford to downsize because their taxes would double or triple in some cases.

The editorial goes on to say "In the end, the promise that average homeowners would save about $240 proved the selling point along with a widespread - but incorrect- belief that spending by local governments is out of control".

Reading from a report published in Florida Today last year titled" County's Trend is to Spend" it states that county department expenditures were up 40% in the last five years. A few figures taken from that report: 20 departments have a t least doubled spending during the past five years, inflation and population growth grew by about 20%, property tax revenue climbed by half to $240 million and the total budget reached 1.16 billion.