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Dunedin Forum To Discuss Tax Amendment

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By Mark  Schantz | The Suncoast News

Published: January 5, 2008

DUNEDIN, Fla. - DUNEDIN, Fla. - The impact a proposed Property Tax Amendment might have on lives of residents and local government will be discussed at a special forum next week.

In a special referendum to be conducted during the Tuesday, Jan. 29, presidential preference primary, Florida voters will decide whether to approve an amendment to the state constitution that would alter the state's property tax system.

The amendment would:

• Double the homestead exemption, from $25,000 to $50,000. The higher exemption, however, would not apply to property tax levies by school districts.

• Institute a 10 percent cap on yearly assessment increases on nonhomestead property. This also would not apply to school tax levies.

• Create a $25,000 tangible personal property tax exemption for businesses.

• Allow the transfer of up to $500,000 in Save Our Home property assessment increase relief.

The amendment would require the Legislature to appropriate money to reimburse counties that face financial difficulties as a result of the tax relief measures in the amendment.

According to the nonprofit oversight group Florida TaxWatch, the exclusion of school taxes from the $25,000 homestead exemption increase lowers its effective value to $15,000.

If the amendment were to pass, the average homeowner would see a $240 reduction in his annual property tax bill, Florida TaxWatch has estimated.

The Dunedin Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a special forum on the proposed property tax amendment. It will take place at 7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 10, at the Conmy Center, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 750 San Salvador Drive.

The forum is open to everyone, said Lynn Wargo, Dunedin chamber president and chief operating officer.

State Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, a member of the Senate Fiscal Policy and Calendar Committee, will explain the amendment in detail.

Fasano will outline how voters would be affected by the passage of the tax amendment and answer any questions from the audience, Wargo said.

In addition, Chris Giuliana, chairman of the Chamber of Commerce's governmental affairs committee, will outline how the amendment would affect specific neighborhoods in Dunedin, Wargo said.

Giuliana selected several parcels of property and will show how the amendment would impact the property tax bill of each of the parcels' owners, according to Wargo. Examples will include those who purchased their homes years ago and those who purchased them more recently.

Also, the Pinellas County's Web site has a page on which residents can enter their home address and find out what would happen to their property tax situation if the amendment were approved Jan. 29.

At the forum, information will also be available on another referendum measure that will be on the Jan. 29 ballot in Pinellas County. If approved the measure would extend from July 1, 2009, until June 30, 2013, a half-mill property tax levy to help pay for Pinellas School District operations.

A mill represents one dollar of property tax revenue for each $1,000 in assessed property value, minus exemptions.

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