FAC Releases 2010 County Property Tax Report
Property taxes reduced by more than $1.5 billion over three years
October 6, 2009
Contact:
Cragin Mosteller
TALLAHASSEE - Today, The Florida Association of Counties (FAC) presented the 2009 County Property Tax Report to the Florida House Military and Local Affairs Committee. The report summarizes the reductions that counties have made across the state - more than $700 million this year alone - and where counties fall in relationship to the mandated rollback rate - 58 counties at or below the rollback rate.
"Counties across the state are making hard choices to respond to calls from our citizens," said FAC President and Alachua County Commissioner Rodney Long, "Each county is struggling to provide the services citizens demand while ensuring a responsible budget."
The data from the last three years, put out by the Florida Association of Counties, attributes the major reductions to: economic recession ($730 Million), Amendment 1 ($430 Million), and the implementation of the statutory rollback rates ($340 Million). These three factors have effectively served to realign property tax rates after the real estate boom. In 2009-10 and for the following four years, property taxes in Florida will be near or below 2005-06 levels.
"These reductions are necessary during these trying times," added Long, "but any additional property tax changes at this time could cripple critical services beyond repair."
All but nine of Florida's counties stayed at or below the 2007 rollback rate, including Lee County which is approximately 24% below the mandated rollback rate. In addition, 44 counties will collect less in property tax revenue, 14 of whose budgets are reduced by more than 10%.
A copy of the report can be accessed here: www.fl-counties.com/proptax.
Founded in 1929, the Florida Association of Counties is a non-profit association representing the diverse interests of Florida's 67 counties. Created in 1998, the Florida Association of Counties County Commissioners Voluntary Certification program has trained 196 county commissioners on the complexities of county government and public life.
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