If you object to the way proposed Lake County, FL property tax increases of
18% are being "justified" or you think they are too high, send this to your
friends.
You can keep up with details on this proposed tax hike by visiting our new
FiscalRangers.com blog page HERE focused on just the tax hike issue.
Bookmark that page to get updates.
As you remember from our prior July 21 warning article, the Lake County Board later voted 4 to 1 on July 22 to approve a tentative property tax millage rate increase of 18% which will
appear on your TRIM notices for property taxes in mid-August. Lake County
Commissioner Leslie Campione is the one who said there were alternative
methods to pay requested wage increases and some expenses without tax
increases.
But the Orlando Sentinel's Lauren Ritchie just wants taxpayers to throw
money at the "budget needs" without considering alternatives.
Lauren's tax and spend attack column appeared today, and is here. She even used the
liberal name calling technique and attacked "Tea Party anti-tax extremists".
This is not an anti-tax issue (but I couldn't help using this picture), or
against salary increases, but a challenge to the method used to justify tax
hikes vs several alternative funding methods. There are several ways to
fund the budget "needs" without huge property tax hikes, but Board Chair
Jimmie Conner and others are ignoring them in the haste to raise taxes.
If you disagree with the Board and Lauren's tax and spend recommendations
and her attacks on Campione, post a comment on her article page above.
Read the other comments on the article page, including one from me.
Let the Lake Sentinel and Ritchie know that not everyone appreciates a HUGE
proposed Lake County budget increase of 18% without a professional, fiscal
evaluation of funding alternatives..
Additionally, read the Daily Commercial article about Campione's election
race HERE. - at the very end, the reporter does cite some of Leslie's
recommendations.
AND, Leslie Campione just published a newsletter which is included below my
business card. She has budget funding alternatives there. Visit her
website and subscribe to get the second part of the newsletter. She also
wants your input via [email protected]
. The other three County commissioners (Sean Parks, Welton Cadwell and Tim Sullivan) should be ashamed for supporting Jimmie Conner's Chicago Style political budget methods.
Actions Needed:
1. Post comments on Lauren Ritchie' article - the link is above.
2. You can tell the Board members what you think via phone or email via
this page . Click
their name in the left column and get their contact information.
3. Send this email to friends and post it on your Facebook page.
4. If this was forwarded to you, send a FiscalRangers.com subscription
request to [email protected]
CAMPIONE NEWSLETTER
Campione Newsletter:18% Tax Increase is Unnecessary
July 29, 2014
On July 22, in a 4-1 vote, the Lake County Board of County Commissioners set
the tentative millage rate 18% higher than last year's tax rate (this new
rate will be shown on your TRIM notice mailed in August). The final millage
rate will be set after two public hearings, one on September 9, 2014, and
the last one on September 23, 2014. The tentative millage rate can be
lowered from the rate shown on the TRIM notice during the public hearing
process in September. As you will read below, I have a plan for avoiding
this excessive increase.
This tax increase is harmful to many individual taxpayers and employers, and
it has the potential of setting our economy back even further as we are
trying to make a "come-back." Furthermore, "legitimate needs" are being used
as political cover for non-essential items.
It is important to note that for some property owners whose property has
been assessed upward due to an increase in values, the 18% increase could
ultimately result in a bill that is 22.9% higher than last year's bill.
The tactics used to generate support (or diffuse opposition) to the proposed
increase have painted a picture that is counter-productive to our efforts to
attract new companies and bring high wage job opportunities to our
residents. Our residents are safe, our first responders are top-notch, and
our reserve fund meets the requirements of Florida law, County policy and
the bond market. However, should we assure that our first responders and
public safety providers are sufficiently compensated? Absolutely.
During the meeting on July 22, one of my fellow commissioners used the
phrase "intellectually honest" when questioning how I would take care of
essential services without supporting the tax increase. Another commissioner
stated that it is "politically expedient to vote against taxes and not offer
a solution." The obvious solution was expressed by many taxpayers at the
meeting: the County Commission should "live within its means."
I have a plan. Our Sheriff, who is doing a great job keeping us safe, has
made a specific request of $3.2 million over his prior year's budget to
primarily fund much needed salary increases. The Sheriff's funding comes
from the General Fund. Over the past year, Lake County's tax roll expanded
over 4% (due to new construction and increased property values), which
resulted in $2,995,022 more in the General Fund than collected under last
year's budget. Why can't we work with what we have?
Those in favor of the 18% millage increase argue that the additional
revenues flowing into the General Fund ($2,995,022) will only cover a
portion of the budget that was funded last year from reserve funds. If a
status quo budget were adopted (i.e. no increases in spending), there would
be a shortfall around $3.3 million but this could be funded by paying debt
service on the new judicial center from infrastructure sales tax revenue (up
to $5.74 million). If the maximum amount ($5.74 million) is applied to
General Fund debt service, there is no longer a "shortfall" but instead
there would be positive cash flow of $2,335,922. By creating greater
efficiencies, making adjustments and "shoring up" the County's solid waste
program and landfill operations (which is being subsidized in the proposed
budget with over $3.1 million that originated from the General Fund), not
only could a tax increase be avoided but the Sheriff's budget request could
be addressed.
Bottom line: 18% Increase is Unnecessary. By exercising restraint, getting
creative, phasing in capital outlay over a five year period, focusing
efforts on attracting new jobs and businesses to Lake County (not scaring
them away with excessive tax increases), and starting each budget process
with a commitment to taxpayers to "live within our means," the path to
fiscal responsibility comes into clear view. But if you start with the
premise that a tax increase can be justified, it does not take long to pile
up a list of things that would be nice to have.
In my next newsletter I will delve into ways to address critical needs and
capital repairs such as the fuel remediation at the Astatula landfill
($500,000), HVAC repair and IT upgrades, and I will look at ways to trim the
budget to avoid a tax increase while protecting essential services, and
explore options for the future to make it easier for taxpayers to "follow
the money."
I need your input. I would greatly appreciate your input on this story and
other issues that are important to you. Send your response (or a request to
be a regular subscriber) to: [email protected].
Sincerely,
Leslie Campione
Campione Newsletter