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Walton County Taxpayers Association
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Joins The Tax Movement Group To Put Local Government Budgets Under Microscope; Educate Citizens Mission The Okaloosa Citizens Alliance, Inc. is a non-profit* and non-partisan group of diverse citizens who promote maximum efficiency and effectiveness of government. We will inform citizens on issues relating to taxing, spending and all government operations. Goals Improve citizens’ understanding of government taxing, spending, budget and operations processes; and To have a more responsive, effective, and cost efficient government. Live In Okaloosa County ? Visit Their New Website
 Tax Reform To Late To
Little !Are We Near The Breaking Point ? From Tax Cut Now New trends in economic activity continue to show Florida homeowners may be at the breaking point. Property taxes and insurance despite some tinkering continue to sap property owners of their ability to pay. A recent Zogby International poll shows half of South Florida residents and 37 percent statewide are considering moving out of state. Home Foreclosures continue to rise and Florida is second only to California nationwide. Florida however is closing the gap and predictions show a 27 percent rise in foreclosures as a sluggish housing market continues. A lot of property owners are more than three months late and their lenders have notified them of their intent to foreclose. This in turn is going to cause late notices going out in the fall and a new glut of homes on the market by next summer. Tighter credit and fewer options for homeowners with nervous lenders are spelling disaster for Florida and across the nation. This credit crunch sent the Dow plummeting 280 points Friday alone. The impact on the economy of the excessive local government taxation is reflected in the 1.5 billion sales tax revenue shortfall to the State of Florida. The insatiable appetite of for excess government worker benefits has required ever higher taxes to fund their pension and health benefits plans. These perks are so generous that no private sector worker could ever dream of having them.
Walton County School Board Budget Hearing Update The Walton County School Board met Tuesday afternoon for the first of two required public hearings to adopt the budget for the School System for the next year. The WCTA became aware of an understatement in the financial picture that should have provided the Board Members an opportunity to meet their stated goal of remaining revenue neutral over last years budget. The board discussed ways to meet their objective after the misstatement of the current years operating surplus surfaced, but lacking a recommendation from Superintendent Carlene Anderson the board was faced with a decision to either vote for the prior recommendation of the Superintendent Anderson or vote against the recommendation. Prior discussions with School Board members indicated a willingness and desire to find a way to approve a revenue neutral budget. A motion to approve the recommendation of the Superintendent was made and the motion passed by a 3/2 aye vote. The WCTA has previously given a single grade for the entire board, but that system fails to recognize the individual efforts of a Board member to bring tax relief to the taxpayers of Walton County. We are amending our grades for the Walton County School Board to give a grade for each Board member as they exercise of their due diligence and fiduciary role to the taxpayers of Walton County and to also include the Superintendent of Education. The School Board will hold one (1) additional Public Hearing before the final approval is made. Please make it a point to express your individual position to each elected official before the second public hearing.
The Community Survey conducted by the WCTA concerning Property Tax Reform officially closed today. In the 24 days that people were able to participate either online or at the two (2) forums conducted in Mossy Head and in South Walton 1489 surveys were received. We extend our appreciation to all who chose to be a part of forming a unified position for use by all of Walton County. It will take several days for us to complete the data analysis and write the formal report for distribution. A quick look at the data reveals that the survey participants fell within the following statistical models. Initial Participant Analysis
GRADES OUT ! Mid-Term Report Cards The WCTA is please to distribute it's mid-term report cards for the the Walton County Commission, Walton County School District, City of De Funiak Springs, and SW Mosquito Control District, taxing authorities. The City of Freeport and South Walton Fire District have not set their budget workshops at this time and their grades will be updated at a later time. See the report card by clicking here It's not to late for them to improve before the final millage rates are set in September
Who benefits from the tax plan? The Legislature has determined how homestead owners would fare in the
proposed property tax structure.
Thank You
I agree with her on the suggestions offered on making the forum better - she was correct on every point, except one. I totally disagree with her position on a simple thank you to those who diligently work in the best interests of citizens and taxpayers. You might be asking yourself, why take up the space on this website for this article. It is simple. The WCTA has received the resignation of J.B. Hillard as the Vice-President of our organization. Many visitors to this site have probably never met or had the opportunity to work side by side with one of Walton Counties finest examples of dedication to community service. He has been a driving force for property tax issues since this writers first involvement. Our organization will miss him and his dedication and involvement and tireless work. We give no gold watches, no plaques, and no retirement benefits. What this writer offers, for the joy of working with him, and all that the WCTA offers for hard work is simple. It is the right thing to do, what I was taught by others. Thank You J.B. - You will be missed ! You truly had "Skin In The Game". Looming Suit Complicates State's Tax Picture The initial hearing in Jerome K. Lanning et. al v. Patrick P. Pilcher et. al, which challenges Florida's existing Save Our Homes system on federal constitutional grounds, is scheduled for July 24 in Leon County Circuit Court in Tallahassee. Source: JEROME R.
STOCKFISCH 07.08.2007 TALLAHASSEE - Florida's property tax debate has played out on the gubernatorial campaign trail and in the state Legislature. In January, it goes to the people.Ultimately, there could be another venue with a significant role in revamping the state's property tax system: the courts. A lawsuit filed this year by out-of-state residents challenges the constitutionality of Florida's existing Save Our Homes tax benefit, a plum for longtime homeowners that will remain available regardless of whether voters approve a property tax cut plan in January.
Alliance Holds Strategy Meeting T
The salary of the SWMCD Director is in
excess of TOP 10 Walton County Public
Employee Salaries Presidents Open Letter To Walton County Taxing Authorities
2007 Annual Meeting - synopsis
BCC votes to fund unbudgeted program
Commission Reorganization Meeting
The Walton County Commission held its
reorganization meeting on November 28th, 2006 at 3:30 pm at the Walton
County Court House in DeFuniak Springs. They selected
Commissioner Pridgen to serve as the Chairman and Commissioner Meadows to
serve as Vice-Chairman for the newly constituted Board. Commissioner
Comander assumed her position as the newly elected Commissioner from
District Four (4).
Chairman Pridgen Sara Comander - Dist.4
Commissioner Meadows Makes Public Apology
We all make mistakes from time to time. It is difficult to deal with complex issues without personal feelings and view points. It was nice to see someone realize that their actions were not up to their normal standards of conduct and publicly make a sincere apology. Admitting a mistake is not easy. It takes a person of integrity to make a public apology. It was the right thing to do. What Your Chamber President Thinks of BCC Budget Cuts Question: William Imfield, Finance Director, Walton County Just 40 days ago, the BCC gave $8 million back to the County's taxpayers in the form of a millage rate reduction. With the limited time to look at your submission, I am unable at this time to make any recommendation of a funding source should the Board approve spending $55,000. Response:
Dawn A. Moliterno I understand the unfortunate turn of events with the County budget. WOW ! Your tax reduction is an unfortunate event ! See full text of the exchange of emails
Tax Studies and Reports Interesting reading on the state of Ad Valorem Taxing in the State of Florida and a report on the Property Tax Structure in Our State
Property Tax Collections Surged with Housing Boom From the Tax Foundation From State of Florida - These are large PDF files -
State of Florida Ad Valorem
Tax Audit
Property
Tax Structure, Part I
Property
Tax Structure, Part II
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| Copyright © 2008 Walton County Taxpayers Association |
Community Survey Close
Who
benefits from the tax plan
Presentations
were made by Rep. Marti Coley and Rep. Don Brown on the impact that
the legislative actions of the House and Senate Tax Reform Plan will
have on each taxpayer and citizen in the State of Florida. They
fielded questions for over 45 minutes from the audience and gave
their frank
and straight forward answers questions and discussed the future
actions that might be addressed in a much talked about second
special session to deal with rollbacks in state spending. They did
an outstanding job of meeting with the constituents and "listening"
to their issues and concerns.
The leadership of the
WCTA received a letter from a participant in the Mossy Head "Community
Forum" several weeks ago. She offered many valid constructive ideas on how the forum could be
improved, some appropriately directed at this writer. Her comment: "I see no reason
to praise individuals who head up committees when they volunteer for those
positions", is striking in comparison to her valid criticisms -
particularly those directed at this writer. 
he Northwest
Florida Taxpayers Alliance held it's second meeting on June 14th.
The Walton County Taxpayers Association was there in full force as we
explore additional ways to represent the taxpayers of Walton County and
the Panhandle portion of Florida. The meeting
was hosted by the Bay Tax Foundation and was held in Panama City, Florida.
This organization will have a great impact on property tax issues in our
area. The major issue discussed was how we can extend our reach to more
adequately represent "second-home" taxpayers and non-homesteaded property
ownership issues.
The annual budget process for all taxing
authorities within Walton County began on Tuesday May 22nd. The first
budget hearing that the WCTA will attend was the South Walton Mosquito
Control District budget workshop held at 9:30 am. This was the WCTA's first involvement in the budget workshops and hearing for the South
Walton Mosquito Control District. Our review of the 2006-2007 budget
for the SWMCD has selected compensation levels and Fund Balances as our
areas of concern. THE SWMCD has a fund balance (unrestricted
reserves) of sufficient size to operate for
1/2 a year with no new revenue.
$110,000. He manages a full time staff of only 14 employees. His
salary is higher than the Superintendent of Education, the Tax Collector,the Clerk of Courts, the Sheriff and the Property Appraiser for
Walton County. He is the second highest paid director of an independent
Mosquito Control Board in the State of Florida. The Office Manager
salary exceeds $68,000 and the receptionist has an annual salary that is
approximately $43,000.
As
soon as the regular BCC meeting began, on November 28th,
Commissioner Meadows asked for time. She asked J. B. Hillard to stand
and she publicly apologized to him for being out of line at the Nov.
14th meeting during the public comment period. Mr Hillard then said
that everyone has moments and this needs to be put behind us and get on
with business.