HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2004-29 Homestead Exemption
RESOLUTION NUMBER 2004-29
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF WINTER SPRINGS,
FLORIDA, OPPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE FLORIDA
CONSTITUTION THAT WOULD RAISE FLORIDA'S HOMESTEAD
EXEMPTION FROM $25,000 TO $50,000; PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF
PRIOR INCONSISTENT RESOLUTIONS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY;
AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, Florida's property tax continues to be a strong source of revenue for most
local governments; and
WHEREAS, Florida currently has a homestead exemption in which $25,000 can be
deducted from the assessed value of a primary residence, for the purposes of paying
property tax; and
WHEREAS, in 1992, Florida's voters approved the Save Our Homes amendment, which
limits the increase in the assessed value of a primary residence to no more than 3 percent
a year or the amount of the consumer price index (CPI), whichever is less; and
WHEREAS, in 1998, Florida voters approved an additional constitutional amendment
that allows cities and counties to give an additional $25,000 homestead exemption to low
income senior citizens; and
WHEREAS, efforts are currently underway, by a group called Families for Lower
Property Taxes, to place an amendment on the November 2004 general election ballot
that would increase Florida's current $25,000 homestead exemption to $50,000; and
WHEREAS, if this amendment is approved, the City of Winter Springs, Florida, would
suffer a loss of $1,070,109 and would be forced to respond to this loss by reducing vital
City services to its citizens, or by raising other fees and taxes to continue these vital
services; and
WHEREAS, this amendment would have a greater impact on local governments who are
at or near the 10 mill cap for ad valorem taxes and would not be able to raise their
property taxes to make up for this loss in revenue; and
WHEREAS, this amendment would raise property taxes on rental properties and
commercial properties that do not receive any homestead exemption thereby placing a
disproportional burden on small businesses.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, SEMINOLE COUNTY, FLORIDA, AS
FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The foregoing recitals are affirmed and incorporated as part of this resolution.
Section 2. The City of Winter Springs opposes the Homestead Exemption amendment
and urges its citizens not to sign petitions supporting its placement on the November
2004 ballot.
Section 3. The City of Winter Springs urges voters to oppose this initiative on the
November 2004 general election ballot.
Section 4. All prior inconsistent resolutions adopted by the City Commission are hereby
repealed.
Section 5. If any section, clause, phrase, word, or provision of this resolution is for any
reason held invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, whether for
substantive or procedural reasons, such portions shall be deemed a separate, distinct, and
independent provision, and such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining
portions of this resolution.
Section 6. This resolution shall become effective immediately upon passage by the City
Commission of the City of Winter Springs, Florida, and pursuant to the City Charter.
RESOLVED by the City Commission of the City of Winter Springs, Florida, in a regular
meeting assembled on the 12th day of July, 2004.
CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS
Robert S. Miller, Deputy Mayor
ATTEST:
ANDREA LORENZO-LUACES, City Clerk
Approved as to legal form and sufficiency for
the City of Winter Springs only:
ANTHONY A. GARGANESE, City Attorney
City Of Winter Springs
Resolution Number 2004-29
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