Search-Miller 25% Tax Increase?
 

In the August 2 Daily Sun on page A9 toward the end of the article it mentions that Ulrich reduced the property tax rate 9.1%, the largest rate cut in years. This was contrasted to the "Search-Miller 25% increase".

I thought Search and Miller were elected in response to the increase by the other commissioners. Am I remembering incorrectly? Getting old so wouldn't be the first time.

You are correct.
But in politics.
Deny! Deny! Deny!
The winners always get to write history!

You are remembering correctly. She is trying to get elected and is hoping no one catches her redefinition of things - like you just did.

Read the article again
 

What the article actually stated was Search Miller increased the Budget by 25% (true) while the current commissioners increased the budget by 2 to 3% and decreased the milage rate by 9%.

The developer owns the paper and then tells them what to write. They will always favor the commissioners the developer wants in office.

You need to find information from an independent site

You are correct, the 25% increase was before they were elected. Also, the article fails to mention that despite the so called 9.1% rate cut, most homeowners taxes actually went up because the rate cut was more than offset by increased appraisal values. Realize that what you read about local politics in the Daily Sun is always twisted to support the agenda of the newspaper’s owners.

Anyone who supports the Daily Rag (Sun). Is sure to drink the Kool-Aid and regenerate the propaganda. If you repeat mistruths enough people will believe it.

I would like to see the numbers being used for these calculations.

From the numbers available on the Sumter County Budget page and the recent Budget Workshop:
- If EMS increased the budget by 25% then the current commissioners increased the budget 8% ON TOP OF the previous 25%! No reduction in the "waste" attributed to EMS, just take advantage of it, blame EMS for it, add another 8% to it, and then call it a savings.

- EMS truly decreased property taxes by 1.5% (set the millage rate below the roll-back rate) while the current budget maintains property taxes by setting the millage rate AT the roll-back rate (no increase or decrease)

To be fair, the 22-23 documents come from a July budget meeting and may very well be changed (up or down) in September.

So true Stu from NYC. The Kool-Aid drinkers will tell you it’s FAKE NEWS one step below Alternative Facts.

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Still a great place to live

I see your point. The author switched to spending after mentioning the property tax cut, which coincidentally was the same % increase as the property tax 3 years ago.

Was there not a 25% increase in the real estate tax about 3 years ago by the previous group of commissioners favored by the developer?

Here is the way I remember it. …………

25% tax increase

Miller, Search, Estep elected

Miller, Search demanded 75% increase in impact fees

Developer offered compromise of 40% increase in impact fees

Miller, Search would not accept that as a win and over-reached

End result was ZERO impact fee increase

Miller, Search thrown out of office for violating Sunshine Law and then perjury

Ulrich and other BOCC reduced Sumter County taxes by about 9%

…….and the drama continues as we get ready for another election.

That is true of any newspaper, not just the Daily Sun.