Photos

Fact Box

To Go

What: TRIM meeting

When: 5:15 p.m. Sept. 7

Where: Boca Grande Fire Department

Why: Proposed millage rates

BGFD proposed budget

Category20112010Change

Net tax$2,234,930 $2,240,814($5,884)

Gross revenue$2,291,230$2,315,814($24,584)

Wages$1,363,630$1,337,000$26,630

Benefits$430,800$450,000($19,200)

Total$3,884,526$4,186,800 ($302,274)

Source: Boca Grande Fire Department. (decrease)

Advertisement

While enduring the Great Recession, the Boca Grande Fire Department continues to hold the line on its budget, which is funded by property taxes.

Chief C.W. Blosser has proposed to trim nearly $25,000 from the proposed $2.3 million operating budget with some of the decrease accounted for in a reduced benefits package for employees.

"It's very consistent with last year's budget," Blosser said.

The proposed millage rate of 1.18 is higher than last year's 1.085 millage assessment but should result in lower taxes for island property owners whose assessed values have declined. The rollback rate is .4268 for taxes to remain flat.

The current year's gross taxable property values are roughly $169 million lower than last year, according to the BGFD, dropping from $2.13 billion to $1.96 billion.

Property owners should soon receive their notice of proposed property taxes. The TRIM Notice contains information on proposed taxes set by Boca Grande Fire Department and lists the dates of public hearings to adopt tentative budgets and millage rates and taxes.

A Truth in Millage rate meeting will be held at 5:15 p.m. Sept. 7 at the Boca Grande Fire Department for homeowners to comment on their TRIM notices. The public is encouraged to attend the hearings as the size of a taxing authority's budget determines the millage rate (tax) necessary to fund it.

The TRIM notice also provides the market, assessed and taxable values of property. Taxable value is assessed value less any exemptions such as homestead.

If you question the value the property appraiser has set on your property or the exemptions on your notice homeowners may contest the valuation with the county. The Value Adjustment Board settles all disputes but a petition must be filed with the Clerk of Circuit Court. Petitions must be filed within a 25-day period from the day TRIM notices are mailed along with a non-refundable $15 filing fee.

The VAB's sole purpose is to hear evidence concerning whether properties are appraised higher or lower than market value and to hear appeals of the denial of exemptions. VAB members have no jurisdiction or control over taxes.

Following an appeal with the VAB, a property owner may contest the decision in civil court within 60 days from the date the property appraiser certifies the rolls to the tax collector.

Facebook  MySpace  Digg  Stumble    Mixx  Fark  del.icio.us   LiveSpaces

Member Comments

View Comments: | Post a comment

No comments posted for this article.

You must first login before you can comment.