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Editorial
Stay informed
Article published on Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007 |
All indications are that Pinellas County cities made it through the first round of state-mandated tax cuts without causing dramatic cutbacks in personnel and services, though they had to work harder than usual in preparing their budgets.
Many cities chose to freeze empty positions rather than lay off employees or create new positions. Some cities chose to eliminate funding for events or shave money from programs to meet the Legislature’s tax reform measures calling for a 9 percent cut in property taxes.
The tax reform measures appear to have hit county government harder than the cities. Since county government has a $2 billion budget, it has to make deeper cuts than the cities to comply with the legislation.
County officials said at a recent budget hearing that 292 jobs had been eliminated, though some employees may be able to keep their jobs by being transferred to unfilled positions. Many programs and departments will begin next year with funding reductions.
Even with a more than half-mill decease in the countywide tax rate, many residents have complained to county commissioners at budget hearings that the decreases were marginal. Some taxpayers don’t recognize that their county taxes only make up a part of their total tax bills – that school, city and several other governmental entities levy millage.
Nevertheless, though local governments were not crippled by the mandated tax cuts, they have legitimate concerns that sweeping cuts will be necessary if voters approve an amendment to the state constitution on Jan. 29 allowing homeowners to receive a proposed super homestead exemption of $50,000 to $195,000.
Between now and then, residents should stay on top of the issue and study the proposal because, if approved, they will be asked to choose whether they want the exemption or the Save-Our-Homes cap that limits increases in assessed property value. Their decision can have long-term effects on their future property taxes and the services they receive from governments.
The county property appraiser’s office has a good explanation of the ramifications of the new tax plan on its Web site at www.pcpao.org. It also enables residents to calculate the impact of the exemption on their future taxes.
Undoubtedly, the media and governments will continue to provide information about the upcoming referendum on taxes. The more, the better. Continued discussions and debate between now and then is vital to ensure that the public knows what it’s buying. Time shall tell whether it’s a pig in a poke.
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Article published on Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007
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