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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTaxes-1966/1967/1979/1987/1996 0/gj North Orlando Citizens Protest Increase In Tax At the regular meeting of the Town Council of North Orlando Monday evening, Mayor George Fuller scorned a petition submitted by citizens , protesting a proposed increase in utility taxes on the grounds that the paper was a photostatic copy of the petition, not the original. It was pointed out to the mayor of the town that was incorporated in 1959 that a photostatic copy would be much more difficult to alter than pected to sign as contacted. an original. The petition, signed by Residents' objections to the pro- 150 families of a total of 228, in- posed tax increase are based on cluding those living on surrounding the allegation that they have•not ranches and ranchettes, was only been adequately informed as to the , one' facet of the proposed tax in- purpose or need for the increased crease discussed at Monday's ses- funds. Unfavorable reactions have sion. met the suggestion of Mayor Fuller Location for the meeting was the for construction of a municipal . office of the North Orlando Utility building--to house village offices, Company building, entirely inade- a Council room and serve as a of the meeting by ivlally Salter, quate for the overflow crowd pre- meeting place for all clubs of the was drafted after she and her hus- sent. Announcements were relayed village or for any beneficial public i band Fred made a visit to the office to numerous residents forced to use. of State Senator Mack Cleveland, remain outside during the session. The figure mentioned for this who, according toNorthOrlandoans, o Among residents speaking on be- building is in the neighborhood oft had promised to present the peti- half of the populace were Thomas $26,000. Total town revenue at pre- tion for defranchisement to the next M. Munday and John VanEepoel, sent is approximately $8800 a year. Legislature if it bore a majority who voiced the opinion that it was The building would be used also iof the citizens' signatures. the duty of the Council to follow the to house fire fighting equipment. E:'3gk a'r Fuller had, at an earlier will of the people and that a ma- The fire department of the village meeting voiced the opinion that this jority of the people have put into is a highly controversial subject >asr,.°t,Senator Cleveland's intent. writing their unwillingness to accept in itself. do ert�etter. read by Mrs. Salter, further taxation. In a recent press release, pit wa,s. stated that Senator Cleve- The petition is one of two pre- department issued a s tatet jl,�and3had promised to help,the citi- sently in circulation. The second claiming complete divorce from ,...,, .,a �., zens arrive at their own choice as is a bid for defranchisement of the Village Council of North Orland to incorporation or non-incorpora- Village of North Orlando and a affirming its independence '"3 ,lion that he had expressed will- return to county status. This docu- complete control on all its pp n gnes to appear ata ment now bears the signatures of ment.However, the statement t g �, pp ss the matter 220 residents and others are ex- ed out that the department s i mself to discuss n . rain first-hand information, has been accepting 'donations'f m The orderly session was e?I after conclud- the Council and further stat . d a ,,i'•4.::.. Council announced that since the department is coni :.t' a reading of volunteers giving department a s Po - of the proposed tax c to 1.bwi d i be delayed until a the community, the communt 1 ` wlo e.Meantime, it was promised be required to support this function.: - . .pa®workshop would be set u through either a tax increase o , y, '.t 0, tydY, that the Council would be forming an association. •repared to present a budget at the The question of the necessity for "'a 43' sion and that the upcoming a fire department has been rais:.: eet wwould be held in more by certain. citizens of North :®•- 'Qt. u ;quarters. lando, who contend that of e two, I a, suggested that a school known fires in North Orlando :n _, t, •' f -� �' ditor_um, located in the vicinity ing the past seven years, one `o •"village which is rapidly turn- handled by the fire department rp nto a 'ghost town' be utilized. Longwood and at the second thes estimated that approximately volunteer group from North Orlando ' one third of the residences built by I arrived minus any water. the North Orlando Co., developers l' Objections are voiced also against of the area, are now unoccupied, the extreme youth of some of the Taxes on the remaining extensive 'fire fighters' and against the fact holdings of the company in the area that there is no telephone listed are now delinquent and tax certi- for Fire Chief William Hahn, ficates have A letter, read durin been sold on a num- g the course •ber of these, N. Orlando Tax Proposal Explained ,,r,y o North Orlando Mayor Geo regular phone bill and not]water unless you go over the clubs of the village to meet issued rge Fuller today ssued a your toll calls are taxable. 6,000 gallon minimum o e,e statement explaining the pro. " and for any function that the posed utilities tax hike being)Theta would be no increase on The proposed tax hike would people of the village wish to e nsidered by the sill g v the limit' to 75 a nts Id. It will be f c 1. "'h n a. illy. oin d e 1[ th t Is a benefit to the any vilh 1 At p 5 t Fuller d, t l eg gL p ) T is g , "Pt paying en a 10 per L I ill occur aY d Thi F 11 al erect someI tae th a t f 35 10 t pe f •l l only if the bills critics who hate called for an utility. This electricity, II ry IA,,, amount t Ilea this abolishment e of the village telephone, gas d water P y Ire "f"tl ,l 7�A maximum Fuller al charter d return to countyI presently we C' d I I vg 10 per t v o stater $N I r lh l x h is Itl r h W talk about doing bib h h i $350 pe di 6 �l W Ib t, PIt her vt y kth tth eco and go-I The ly y this to g I �I,II I � o l• "the tax increase er back to the comity," Full-I higher is to use more than could be taxe Three is and I be said, 'hut we must rem ern- 16,000 gallons peremonth ' le Il Id be ies taxed Al woma and I nor that if this is done we will o In h s statement, Fuller fur- I I two utilities could mean see all t to wait rye long to I flier said. If you three increase f t cents o an see all the (Writer} ark eon Iutilities, say, electric, s and A cord g t Mayor Fuller, der town and N' l Park v water, the if it ran money r d by the tax der town o city control The th full amount would 6 ly hike would be d primarily taxes at that time will bet i$1.20 per month. If your th- l for construction and up much higher tl s n electric, water e —� keep"This of a municipal,' building. Fuller also North telephone, y would GEORGE FULLER ]h s h g he red a goo residents: We have,"will house village Ibe only on electricity,increase your ge offices, a good community. "aICT i . .Explains hike comcil room, a place for ail keep it and make it better North Orlando Residents loam,colorful located fountain d th ht ndcs.e' c l which have pmire i to erect, according to Mein ( Fightng Tax TeF s i rpi ert thh gePten thM e land irom the owner. By Mariiyne Peterson nary for so small all - Scott Burns, manager of f erivg the aim before Florida Power and Light Cum_ Proposed tax increase in The'city council contends I a municipal department w I the village of North Orlando the ins necessary to organized and that with two pony and a member of the is being severely opposed by operatertM1 government and fires years the voi committee, outlined for city esbeints se the area. propose to construct a $26,- unteer The department is and cost commissioners i detailed the plan of r Petitions are bah. cvl 000 building to house the adequate- although the truck end pro analysis of the Ice costs b ° - police and fire departments offered by the Forest Service tug Program. Proposed costs I ated to halt the in rand and to provide a place in would give added protection. very depending on whether 'to disenfranchise c the city which to hold civic meetings. w'The residents feel that if the city or the pony charter. Many residents state It is c n power coin they would rather return to rumored, although not in the future s under city Oo- does the work and on what t clarified by council, that ed lendo area falls under city or intensity of lights are used.an ue y status. Although they $8,000 jail is to be included town control, the taxes would Commissioners enthusiastic- county taxation is necessary 'v the to improve nity,l know homeowner. be shared by a much larger ally endorsed the plan as - theyido not believe othat such the s want to population An d therefor inn wonderful adverb a large expenditure is neces edoto why the c truck when would be tuitions n City t for the city;' instructed buy a fire truck when w These petitions now e City Manager W.E.Knowles the Florida Forest Service culation will be se to has offered to ere the xt to work with the all to "get o uck, provided ded the meeting i goTu the next and charged soon them all tb "get t the volunteers a truck, trcitlea regular n eeting dune 6. i going as soon ea posstble." she ro wit Ines ays. a - _ shelter er question days, Another n the being asked Is. Can the town at- G ry O ` ford it if a police department v / ./ d is established, and there be a need for a desk sergeant and/or a jail keep, plus a Ifull-Este city clerk) Several resident pointed out the need for repairs on the stmets and roads of the I comunity with special at- tention to the route traveled I by the school buses. The people contend that al- I thought seldom needed, the Seminole County sheriff's de- I artment did an excellent job This is a tax that families have some control over. They pay tax on what they use. If they use a lot of electricity or use their telephone for long-distance n�> calls then they pay more If they don't, they pay less. -- Wilfred Arnold may . Counilman suggests gg s tax increase By JOE KILSHEIMER The actual Seminole little sentinel price tag of hiring the employees in the summer won't be too high over projections WINTER SPRINGS — It may be a symptom of the city won't have to pay them a full year's salary. growing pains and the sting of inflation, but an effort But combining the extra expenditures with the rev- has begun to solve the city's revenue problem— three enue shortfalls,Arnold said the city may run a$50,000 months after voters overwhelmingly rejected a 64 per- deficit by the end of September, 1980. cent tax increase. Arnold also said the city needs the 7 percent in- Councilman Wilfred Arnold has recommended the crease because it wouldn't go into effect until March. city raise its public service fee, a utility tax, to 7 per- "We project $116,200 from the public service fee of cent from 4 percent, effective March 1980. 4 percent, thus each 1 percent raise should generate The city must hire six new employees next summer about 29,000," he explained, " .. raising the rate . .. to cover the expansion in Tuscawilla Units 2 and 7,ac- from 4 percent to 6 percent would generate less than cording to a document prepared last week by City $35,000, or from 56 percent to 80 percent of my antici- Manager Richard Rozansky. pated shortage,"Arnold said. And an examination of financial records for the first "A raise to 7 percent would result in about $50,000 two months of this fiscal year shows the city has not more." taken in as much revenue as expected, and the city is The proposed raise is the fairest way the city can paying more money for bills in other areas than antici- impose higher taxes on residents,Arnold added. pated, Arnold said. "This is a tax that families have some control over," City officials also are looking for a way to convince he said. "They pay tax on what they use. If they use a residents that the city needs the extra revenue to lot of electricity or use their telephone for long-dis- maintain levels of city services. tance calls, then the Arnold, who as vice mayor is in charge of the city's less. they pay more. If they don't they pay investments, told the city council Tuesday night that "We are not bankrupt, not by any means. Undoubt- some income sources, such as utility franchise fees edly, we will end up the year on the plus side in our and federal revenue sharing carry-over funds, are fall- reserve,which if we don't hire any more people or buy ing short of expected levels. any more inflated products, will stand at about The city's utility bills for the first two months of the $74,000, but that will only take us one month into the fiscal year are higher than expected and may end up next fiscal year. costing the city $12,000 more than the budget pro- "What I am trying to do is make the council aware vides,Arnold said. and make the citizens aware that we have problems Hiring the six new employees will also strain the we need to address," Arnold said. "We have the fas- budget. "To fund the manning level recommended (by test growth rate in the county and the demand for ser- Rozansky) at the revised pay scales, and this to me is vices is going up as fast as the growth rate, but unfor- a necessity, will cost about $48,000 more than the tunately our revenue can't keep up with the growth budget for regular salaries .-."Arnold said. rate and inflation too." 2 9 /, ./x be P Residents berate commission for Winter Springs' tic cuts By Sid ACirchheitner budget proposal In past *.. pa OF rrf9a0harL stars bearings, sided with City Manager Richards:• ?' WR47ER SPRINGS—A Rommalry', opposing the budget that city commis- utility tax reduction that rytat • .` shiners expected the public to greet with open arms commissioners had ear- was met with clenched fists/Tuesday night when a Her promised, dozen citizens angrily protested the lowering of their tame in the upcoming fiscal year future to ky warned of 4 - Residents took turns tongue-lashing city commis- future tax Increases be- �� stoners for lowering property taxes 42 percent and cause the city's antics- Richard Rozansky siting the municipal utility tax in half, from 4 to 2 gated $403,000 year-end . . . future tax boosts. percent: carryover surplus is ex- They said they believed the city needed the mon- Pected to shrink-by about 50 percent for 1083484:He aq.more than they did, and expressed fears that tax- also is concerned about current and haute losses In es would have to be raised next year: federal revenue-sharing funds an . This year the city. Commissioners,however, voted 4 to 1 at the final saw a 44 percent cut because residents'.pet-capita public hearing to approve the $2.3 million 1982.83 Income rose from$4,494 to$7,977. budget with the tax cuts intact Commissioner Bur- By cutting the utility tax m halt, residents will ley Adkins East the only dissenting vote. save about $2 a month on their utility,bias. 'That residents, none of whom spoke against'.the Please see TAXES,7 TAXES been talking about building a mu- ening taxes and I don't think I or Cv\ nicipal complex for over four anyone else should have any." years. And here you lust gave Because of the property-tea cut, From 1 away$97,000.". .? which was made paaelble because Commissioner Martin Trencher of replacement money generated move, however, will cost the city responded by saying he was not by an additional one-cent state about$97,300 in the coming fiscal "in-favor of building a $2 million sales tax, the city's-millage rate year,which begins Oct.1. monument just for the sake of drops from 2.05 mills to 1.198 "What about our municipal building it' mills. A.mill is a$1 tax for every complex?"asked one citizen. "We "There are many people out $1,000 of taxable property value:: have an overcrowded city hall. there who can afford $128 a year mother words, the owner of a We have an overcrowded police, in taxes.But there are a whole lot $50,000 home will pay $89 in' department. We have an over- more who can't," Trencher said. property taxes next year, a de- crdwded"4ire-department.-Wdee-^f Aaak4tte very-gin ltehane faa':,mease-hroml192 tkM j ear.. ..� y us03% il3 C Ts ! ak ® ! oE > o ! ` \ \ o .~ ' & '! ¥ £ ! Co\ A: : « ) \\ f ) NO) ! %& \ƒT,}�eaf. ! / », 0 ! ! # (fl § ) � � ƒ \ j k ) �\ \\ \) \a ) L.. a® 2w )»4i0}\ (/ _ _\ / co (11)7 � ! .4 \ i2± , k )Ca \ § f © ) k N / ! ! . ! § /2 k C ®] }f n m ; ! / bf� } ! l$ Jt l C es, ! ` ! ! © 2 ; g f laka 4x-60 £ 0 . (! { , , + | §� & _ } ® C f] \ ! O CO° m � ki} / \k } a ! $ �f � l ¥ ! @ 0 ! k4` zokz - }'} }4 }\ \ } aF N rJa o c � i « 4yooy o a 11� s ; r m W '�M 0 �A vag >� MG E.1 c a✓ 40.0r• 17: � c �d o•�j mmE6 a CO G C wars} os. E5iO �A E8 . Fov «c6aq sr, ix, Woow V1s Yom. �y.,a.1 NQF�, W VI N •O N • Eg d ° o .g 3 � E Z.E S-e.o. wa m /��\ a a acre Fly � mvim ■i .r1 Ftiprd AU Fw« w p a % o sa ta03`5° 5 �a yYOa. C- N v i O VN u _W « .0• a c O a a O F m ;ga TIE $ 8�m»¢ ° et- 0 1g '12 V O cu A m C e A d • /8 CU0 - .. v p y b w 2 s c E s � O to kos... W « E7g ggp 8 «: 2 Eno Pww.a • w o m • taOR � eoa m H V 40248 LV-11 C X . / 1 y o 95::.g v b m E ..to 'F ° a $, 'L TacE0E i m8o': 8 uf Ew$o m « s41 13!.. E�° a§ 9, 9A^8 p' Aral o_. m & gott,t N S o nip its °.°p'`" GE3 i3 olE 8v am ac c " 3,4a° v' EO v1E w6 sEa ca .e` f-n88«E' Q ° � 8E' F8•• a of a0 �v,ra" o02 a, tog. to.. c� 2 .c^. $ CCmBq « 3 °i E ?43^ a NESSS2mC1P E Cl) apq eEa m a mW � AI �.�pp�77 Vm« .'yPp.� ■ E� E W 6E21wd.FS3« m�C n5� 5 .°F $Y'`FJav�.or�O. CD a w: v yy a °- .i.S _ ciao $ 'A� .1 a ae i a ....L EwasS_ "3 ° aox FmSq « £a 3E Sav ow r011- 9, u o E: a«g yP N F,.a sy rya Cl) i V4g,g w 11' om33 r E °°S lEo 4.,5` 8 o a " i° "I « A U• 8 g o ase 441 u B o 11.6 $ a a c' % e v c .•'',R0 -4. q 0 a °211pa ds '^ N R ." a« u G1 O Winter Springs spending plan would keep tax rate the sane In an effort to help citizens par- a • $588,277 for parks and recreatioid. ticipate in the budget process, the. n The budget, nearly $180,000 four Seminole Extra publishes another ���� ti,.., than last year,calls for hiring four installment in an occasional series maintenance employees, a recte�- as the county, its cities and the , lion program coordinator and a school district make decisions 9F"' . , , , ' secretary for the new 59-a¢e Cefi- aboutluw much they will need in : tral Winds Park. Money in t1R taxes and how they will spend the ' S:1/4%. - . budget also is used to operete the money during the fiscal year that -!.� city's summer youth Pry and begins Oct. 1. � �, x$�ws‘.. to maintain the city's senior argl By Elaine Bennett civic centers and other city parka. budgets • Police Chief John Govorul l orrmmasisws has proposed spending more that IT'S 3 NEY $1.9 million for normal operations, 'WINTER SPRINGS:— City - a new office clerk, two pagers, commissioners have begun re- posed budget for the Year that be- four portable radios, Four sd two viewing a proposed budget that gins Oct. I. Several other work- revolvers, a radar unit and two avoids an increase in the tax rate. ah are sch new vehicles. City Manager Dick Rozansky o Puled during the o pyre Chief gem of nearly atria has nod few months, sroners has)reMSed that the tax rate re- era to tenth- - protion a budget of n $s.3 main at $3.81 for every $1,000 of llion for routine operatiorra, tfvat Sept Sf,'14 and take a fi- taable Property value. However; rief.- three new to relace firefighters, two new the average taxpayer could still . In the fire trucks to replace antiquated MY more if city plvtieily values— PLL'd ' depart-. ones training equipment, three the other meat auPet'i'isita lave requested part of the tax formula several:new, cellular telephones, three smoke ems, employees -increase. . andequipmenti ejector fats and other firefighting Rozanslry has proposed a gener- • The a equipment. al fund budget of about $11 mil- dcontaining tar in as ngi- lion, more than 2.53 million for fir 's far a wth a pi engo In the paramedic department, the city's water and sewer goer- near to f UP with a plan to he has proposed spending equipment Mtge eater tog residential yards as well for for xec equipmen4t ations on the west side and more and landscaping der it is cleaned o well as for hterciso equipment than $2.58 million for the utility at the city's. sewage'treatment to keep better e. and patamed- operations on the east side of the Plant ics in better shape. Also included in the budget is • Rozansky has estimated it The city manager called his g5,000 to establish a water conser- would cost$923,000 for transports budget a "realistic recomrtenda- vanon program that would include lion improvements,which include tion" ofd much the city will buying mid'di, • 'tubing 1,000 kits resurfacing 13 streets; replacing need to sent his budget at 7:30p.will Mon- heads,:-.. g shower $5 manhole rings; conducting e a day at the municipal building on Mini : plumb- $59000 study to determine the State Road 434. ing _ literature on coat m put in a drainage system katee " and pave roads in the Ranch1ands Commissioners scheduled a 7 • Rtt half Director Glenn community; and spending$11,090 p.m.July 20 workshop on the pro- Whitsett h4.�topoaed a budget of for a pickup for public works. , a o 7/ ,P._ v I. Opinion Taxing future IT'S REFRESHING to find at least one offi- -cial voice in Winter Springs that seriously questions the wisdom of cutting taxes to the point that it may very well create some big problems down the road. But City Manager Richard Rozansky's con Why the urge for caution to a commission cerns about slicing the city's utility tax from 4 percent to 2 per- publicly and politically on record as mandat- 3 . cent fell on the most- - ing the utility tax cut? »:tom x? x / ly deaf ears of city It is a matter of dollars and the possible commissioners. lack of them. The city's federal revenue-shar- r \, 1�%' ing funds have been cut by 44 (�\ Tuesday night, they g y percent this �;`I�; ),:.,,,.,4,c, approved a record year and an estimated $403,000 year-end /1' $2.2 million 1982-83 carryover will decrease to about $200,000 'I ,k / 1 / ', << city budget with the next year. `, 9/ fit..:, utility tax cut intact. G Noting that outside revenues are headed ,.: Also included was down and that the city's building is leveling E E .::'.. :`v.: a property tax reduc- off, Mr. Rozansky rightly asks what source is LW 1 .`' : tion, from 2.05 mills available to produce the needed funds in the 1, ) " J to 1.195 mills. A mill future. is $1 for each $1,000 So far, there has not been an answer. But of taxable property value. That means that one could come as soon as next year when the owner of a $50,000 home who paid $102 commissioners might be forced to reduce ser- in property taxes last year will pay $59 this vices or raise, rather than lower, taxes to pay year. the bills. Mr. Rozansky doesn't quibble with the property tax relief. That money will be made up with the additional one-cent sales tax passed by the 1982 Legislature. But he strongly believes the utility tax move — which would reduce revenue from $194,600 to $97,300 — is a bad one that could come back to haunt future commissions. is o ? Winter Springs tax increase recommended to keep it going By Elaine Bennett In the Police Department's pro- equipment in the city's west side OF THE SENTINEL STAFF posed $1.8 million budget, money utility system. The budget for the is included to buy four new police east utility system allocates cars, a motorcycle, pagers, porta- $127,000 for repairs and new WINTER SPRINGS — Keeping ble radios, weapons, a radar unit equipment, money to hire two em- the city running next year will re- and computer system for a code ployees and more than $100,000 quire a property tax increase, City enforcement officer. for an audit and administrative Manager Dick Rozansky said. A computer system, safety services. Rozansky has recommended equipment and a mini-sized van In the budget, Rozansky also that the tax rate be increased from are included in the Fire Depart- has money allocated for an assis- $3.61 to $3.70 for every $1,000 of ment's proposed $1.2 million tant city manager. City commis- taxable property value. budget. sioners recommended he hire That's about $277.72 for the In public works, Rozansky has someone to help him during nor- owner of a $100,000 house with a included a $20,000 radio commu- mal working hours and serve in $25,000 homestead exemption. nications system and new equip- his capacity when Rozansky is ill His proposed $16.6 million ment to maintain rights of way or on vacation. budget for the year beginning Oct. and easements. He also ear- Money also is earmarked to hire 1 is$253,965 more than this year. marked $198,094 to resurface 15 a purchasing agent as suggested Rozansky will present the roads and $8,500 for sidewalk im- by the city's auditors. The agent budget during the City Commis- provements. would be responsible for buying sion meeting at 7:30 p.m. Monday. The $387,371 parks and recrea- equipment for all city depart- Commissioners will begin a re- tion budget includes money for ments, ensuring materials are re- view of the budget at 7 p.m. July the city's summer youth program, ceived and all bills are paid on 15 — one of several workshops upkeep at the senior center and time. Currently, department su- planned before they adopt a about $86,850 for equipment to pervisors handle their own pur- budget Sept.23. maintain existing parks and Cen- chasing, which the auditors op- About 3 percent of the proposed tral Winds Park when it opens to posed. $4.3 million budget for employee the public next year. Rozansky also has allocated benefits and payroll is earmarked The cost of running the water money to upgrade the city's corn- to allow up to a 6 percent merit and sewer systems adds another. puter systems and cash receipts raise for hard-working and enthu- $6.8 million to the budget. Includ- reporting system, another recom- siastic employees. ed is $1.6 million to design and mendation of the auditors. Rozansky also proposes increas- construct the first phase of the He also has included $50,000 to ing the city's general fund from city's reclaimed water system, in conduct a study to find out what it $5.6 million to $6.1 million. The which highly treated waste water would cost to pave roads and put fund includes city administration will be used to irrigate easements in a drainage system in the and all of the various city depart- and rights of ways. Ranchlands. Money for the study ments, such as police, fire, build- About $190,000 is earmarked for was included in last year's budget. ing and recreation. repairs and to replace outdated but never was spent. 9I / e 7 /y The facts on taxes Proposed property tax rates for each$1,000 of taxable property value for 1991-1992: Total 1991-1992 Current Percent proposed rate rate change tax rate* Altamonte $5.3 $4.99 +6.2 $21.50 Casselberry $5.59 $5.38 +3.9 $21.79 Lake Mary $3.89 $3.89 0 $20.09 1 Longwood $5.12 $5.12 0 $21.32 Oviedo $4.37 $4.37 0 $21.57 Sanford $6.87 $6.87 0 $23.07 Winter Springs $3.61 $3.61 0 $19.81 Unincorporated $5.41 $5.41 0 $19.58 School Board $10.09 $10.17 -.07 St. Johns Water District $.3580 $.3580 0 *Total tax rates proposed in each city and the unincorporated areas including taxes levied by the School Board, water management district, hospital board and library. Figuring your bill To figure your tax bill for the coming year: 1.Write down total ass3ssment. 2. Deduct any exemptions (for example, the homestead exemption of $25,000). 3. The difference is total taxable value. 4. Divide taxable value by 1,000. 5. Multiply by total tax rate from the above chart, depending on where you live (example is Altamonte Springs). 6. The answer is your approximate tax bill. Your Home Example 1. $100,000 2. $25,000 3. $75,000 4. 75 5. $21.50 6. $1,612 -Source Seminole County Property Appraiser's Office i --Compiled by Robin Benedick of the Sentinel staff L Winter Springs' tax rate expected to stay the same By Elaine Bennett the amount to$500 after being led to believe that fewer than six resi- OF THE SENTINEL STAFF dents received helped from the program. WINTER SPRINGS — City At the most recent work session, commissioners are expected to commissioners learned that nearly adopt an $18.3 million budget 100 residents receive services Monday night for the year begin- from Better Living for Seniors, ping Oct. 1. which sponsors numerous pro- If adopted, the tax rate will re- grams, including Meals on Wheels main at its present $3.61 for every and transportation for the elderly. $1,000 of taxable property value. Commissioners are expected to The average taxpayer, however, adopt the budget after a public will pay 6.19 percent more in taxes hearing at 7:30 p.m. Monday at because of higher property assess- the municipal building on State ments. Road 434. Commissioners have eliminated Included in the budget is a mer many items they considered luxu it pay increase of up to 6 percent ries during work sessions in the for employees who work hard and past few months. money to hire a purchasing agent. Funds also are included to replace At a workshop Monday, corn- four used police cars and a motor- missioners agreed to increase the cycle with new vehicles, about city's donation to the Better Liv- $12,000 for a radio communication ing for Seniors of Seminole Coun- system for public works, nearly ty from $500 to $1,200. This year, $200,000 to resurface 15 roads, the city donated $5,000 toward the $5,500 for sidewalk improvements program. Earlier this month, and nearly $87,000 for equipment i though, commissioners reduced to maintain city parks. 9 o9 9 Winter Springs Official Leads Tax Movement Referring to the city's refusal By BETTY RUPP to accept the village's streets be- Voice Correspondent cause they are 20 feet wide and are not crowned in the center,Lange- Winter Springs City Commis- lotti told the Country Club Village sioncr John Langelotti is spear- Homeowners Board of Directors, heading a movement to bring "I hate private roads. It was the financial relief to some of the city's city who failed when they allowed taxpayers. Lange lotti is pushing so many homes to be built on the for a workshop within city coun- land. As of this year,city council cif to study taxes paid by residents has ruled that all new roadways living on privately-owned streets must be at least 50 feet wide." of Winter Springs. "Double taxation" is not an According to Langelotti, the issue raised only in Winter Springs. issue was highlighted to Gene Lein, New Jersey's Municipal Services treasurer of the Country Club Act is being contested in court. Village Homeowners Association The law requires municipalities to at the Sept.9 city council meeting. provide services or reimbursements Lein pointed out to members for the cost of snow removal,street of council that residents in 10 private lighting and collection of recy- areas of Tuscawilla are being hit clable materials and garbage. doubly hard when it comes to the Similar legislation has also been tax dollar.They are being taxed on introduced in Ohio, requiring the same base as all other city municipalities to provide city residents,but pay for street lights, services to condominiums. road maintenance and storm sew- Langelotti told Country Club ers through homeowner fees.Lange- Village's board that many private lotti would like the city to accept communities are located through- responsibility for providing street out the city where homeowners- lighting to those areas. are being doubly taxed. He noted In Lein's presentation to city that City Attorney Frank Krup- council, he noted that $7,020 of penbacher and City Manager Dick the village's 1991-92 budget has Rozeneky havo aarood to investi- been earmarked for street lighting, gate the situation. Prorated, this figure shows that Langelotti also has assured the each homeowner pays$40peryear association that he will continue to for street lights, a service man- bring the issue to the floor of the dated by the city for emergency city council until some discussion and safety reasons. has been reached. / 4 9 0� (o Lower taxes in store for Winter Springs residents ❑ The city voted to reduce in an interview. taxes by 4.1 percent, which Bush broke the deadlock after John Langellotti and John Torcaso voted for would give it the lowest rate in the reduction. Cindy Gennell and David the county. McLeod voted against the tax drop. Torcaso said the city is taking the right step by reducing taxes. By Will Wellons "As long as we have enough money to OF THE SENTINEL STAFF cover the bases," Torcaso said, "it is good to show the people that we are thinking about them." WINTER SPRINGS — The city soon Commissioners cut the tax rate to could have the bragging rights to the low- 3.7626 mills from 3.9221 mills. One mill est property taxes in Seminole County. equals $1 for every $1,000 of taxable val- The Winter Springs City Commission ue. That tax rate is a fraction less than voted this week to cut property taxes 4.1 the city of Lake Mary's, the current lead- percent, because officials expect to get er in low property taxes. Lake Mary is ex- more money from the state. But the cut pected to approve a rate of 3.7648 mills did not come without a fight and a rare later this month. vote from Mayor John Bush, who votes Govoruhk recommended making the only to break a tie. cuts because Winter Springs had under- The reduction will save the owner of a estimated by$213,000 the amount of state $100,000 home with a $25,000 homestead tax money it would receive. Govoruhk exemption about$12 a year in taxes. recommended putting $100,000 of that Before lowering taxes, Bush asked the state money into reserves and using the city manager whether the city would still rest of the state money—instead of prop- have the money to give employees a erty taxes—to pay for items in the city's raise. City Manager John Govoruhk as- $8.3 million general budget. sured the commission that there was Not everyone is excited about the tax enough money in reserves. cut. Gennell worries that the city will Bush supports passing the savings on have some unexpected bills and the low to the taxpayers because, "I don't believe that the city should bank money,"he said P/ease see TAXES, 1-5 Winter Springs tax cut faced opposition TAXES from I-1 year two commissioners are seek- did not tell commissioners at the ing re-election, but in 1995, there meeting earlier this week. tax could be short-lived. is no city election. "I was not asked for my recom- For example, the city is under a McLeod, who is up for re-elec- mendation,"Martin said. federal wage and hour investiga- tion on Nov. 8, said he is not He said after the meeting that tion and the city does not know against lowering taxes. However, the city should put the extra mon- how much in back wages it may he wanted to make sure the city ey from the state into reserves to have to pay employees. had studied the matter thoroughly pay for unbudgeted expenses. "This is a disservice," Gennell before it cut taxes. He recom- Winter Springs has $669,000 in said. "Next year we will have bills, mended waiting until Sept. 26 be- reserves. Martin said that money and we will end up raising taxes." fore lowering the tax rate. could evaporate in one day if the Gennell said the move to lower Finance Director Harry Martin city were ever struck by a hurri- taxes is politically moi ivated. This also opposes the tax cut. But he care. 0 ? is' 4 e z g c° .4 .c _DI .° v C v O a C 0 C° euv a -0 N v y O ,. •MN C X ats .6 O :0 'd O y o E .. I ,, O C • _, • H .0 0 R KS to CC N %r r @° , on i. 0 N y O C Cr «, cril 2 E o° v . 0. C � E et y y to V v 2 .u.A '� a ^ . c y d r i• y C cv C R C u C y C• o .. d o r t«c i a) •h y `O r to 6 C 0 'a ' .c O 7 c h oz .0 E Q to 0 2 s as o @ r' v " c° ao o0 • E..• R Q Lc. t ° .. O i,H O p H .4 C C va C a) ° at r C .@e w ° p `° u o aci cui Cv fl.Ti X o Z 'i� es) ev h 5 V u u ,.. .. to cv u C0 .rr F. A r 0 .0.. y V = a) , o a! 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But a fireworks celebration and "This is the most professional a new municipal swimming pool budget I have seen in all my could be in the city's future. years,"said John Langellotti. A$22 million spending plan pro- The spending plan announced posed by City Manager Ron McLe- last week calls for hiring six new more calls for few things that peo- city employees. McLemore's prior- ple outside of City Hall will notice. ities are a manager to oversee But with no new taxes to worry Winter Springs planning and de- about, Winter Springs city com- velopment and a budget analyst to missioners called for the manager shore up the city's finance depart- to bolster recreation programs at ment. McLemore also wants to Central Winds Park. hire three people in the utility de- Mayor John Bush pushed for partment to improve customer the city to have an Independence service. Day celebration at the park. Com- Commissioner John Ferring missioners set aside$15,000 in the said he is worried that the city is budget for fireworks. adding employees too fast and Bush also said the city needs that taxes could go up in following shelters for T-ball players, so an- years. other $12,000 was added to the "When business and corporate budget. America is downsizing,we are up- Commissioner John Ferring and sizing,"Ferring said. Bush called for the city to have a swimming pool. Other commis- McLemore is suggesting the tax sioners approved another $15,000 rate be set at $3.6853 for each to study the need for a pool and $1,000 of taxable property value. plan other improvements at Cen- That means that a home valued at tral Winds. $100,000 with a$25,000 homestead Other than parks, the commis- exemption will pay $276.40 in tax- sion left the budget unchanged- es. during the first budget meeting City commissioners will set a Wednesday night. Another budget tentative tax rate by July 22. A fi- meeting is planned for today at 1 nal budget will be approved by p.m.at City Hall. September. Winter Springs has Most commissioners seemed the lowest tax rate in Seminole pleased with McLemore's first County. 96 /