[villages07]

Chacam,

Thanks for starting this thread...I admit I haven't studied the amendment as thoroughly as I should have and am also challenged whether to vote on what is personally best for me or what makes the most sense for the state.

As a full time Villager/Floridian who doesn't intend to buy another house in my lifetime, the current law seems most advantageous over the long run....caps assessment increases to 3% a year and $25K exemption.

The current law is somewhat unfair in that 10 years from now my taxes will be far lower than someone who buys a comparable house next door to me who is taxed at full (hopefully appreciated) value. But, it is fair in that I bought what I could afford at the time and might not be able to afford my own house (and new full tax bill) in 10 years.

My concern with the proposed amendment is that it gives substantial tax breaks to just about every type of homeowner. Tax breaks (along with a slowing economy and slow housing market) mean less revenue to the state and county. So, will they have to increase various fees and the overall millage rate and decrease services to keep up with their essential services?

What I haven't seen is a comparative report on the Florida and Sumter county budgets over the last 5 years...how much did their revenues increase during the housing boom years that they turned right around and used to increase spending...these governments don't understand the concept of putting money away into a rainy day fund for the lean years. And, with their typical late to the party timing, now they are talking about decreasing property tax rates at a time when their overall revenue is down...duh.

Snowbirds (non homesteaders) and those who intend to move several more times in their lifetime will have a different perspective on this issue.

Related question....Florida is a closed primary state; you can only vote on your party's slate of presidential candidates and vote for the property tax amendment at the same time. What happens to people who are registered as Independents or some other party? Do they get to vote on the property tax amendment?

I look forward to reading other TOTV'ers thoughts on Amendment #1.