A.G. Gancarski
Another group of Senate lawmakers is moving forward legislation that would impose a higher threshold on localities seeking higher property taxes.
The Senate Finance and Tax Committee advanced Chair Blaise Ingoglia’s measure (SB 1322). The legislation now has one stop to go on the Senate side.
The “taxpayer protection bill” would go into effect in July, imposing the supermajority requirement for any millage increase after this year should it become law.
The legislation has already completed the committee process in the House. That measure (HB 1195) was sponsored by GOP Rep. Sam Garrison of Clay County.
Senators added an amendment Thursday to line the bill up with Garrison’s version.
“Under current law, if a local government is going to adopt a rate more than 10% higher than the rollback rate, the vote has to be an unanimous vote unless the board has nine plus members and the rate was approved by referendum, then it’s a three-quarter vote,” Ingoglia said. “The amendment will provide an exception to keep that higher vote requirement in place.”
School Boards have a carve-out if they want to put a millage hike on a ballot for referendum, Ingoglia noted in answering questions from Democrats. They could put it to the voters with a simple majority.
Bob McKee of the Florida Association of Counties spoke in opposition to the bill, saying certain millage hikes are already requiring a 2/3 majority and he wanted clarity in the law regarding which rule binds which particular vote.
A representative of the Florida League of Cities waived in opposition as well.
Ingoglia addressed concerns, saying the challenge is the way the current statute is written, making it hard to “figure out exactly what we’re trying to do here.”
But he said that “last year’s base millage rate up to 110% (of that)” would require a supermajority.
5 comments
NOPE
February 8, 2024 at 5:45 pm
I don’t see what’s so hard to understand about this blll. It’s shockingly clear cut, reasonable, and common sense. Unfortunately for those cities with gerrymandered city council, and grifter school boards, you’re still SOL. This is actually one bill that is actually useful and needed and wish it went further.
MH/Duuuval
February 8, 2024 at 10:21 pm
If wishes wee horses, beggars would ride.
The current IN Crowd, aka MAGA, are doing what they can to perpetuate Florida’s abysmal public sector by avoiding paying a fair share of taxes.
Duval’s council is gerrymandered, so putting more leverage into their hands is pushing the county. farther towards the bottom.
Nope
February 9, 2024 at 12:52 pm
If you live in a place where assessments are fair and taxes actually translate to the public good rather than billionaire welfare programs, I envy you. I don’t. Higher taxes only buy more lipstick for the pig. There is no leadership here, only grifters.
one person one vote
February 9, 2024 at 7:45 am
What ever happened to the basic principle of democracy- the majority rules? I suppose that the GOP is expanding its war on democracy, not content to gut the citizen initiative process. And let us not forget the savaging of local home rule by these entitled scumbags. Where will it all end? Probably in the streets? Naturally. those same Bozos are spending millions to fortify the Capitol building!
MH/Duuuval
February 9, 2024 at 10:48 am
Florida legislators have created a monster by giving free reign to firearms extremists and now have to think about their own public vulnerability. We’re still not like Michigan and other states where firearms extremists can walk the legislative halls cradling their egos with full magazines. (Hypocritical of MAGA Florida legislators to keep firearms out of the building, but there you go.)
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