In Your Corner
by the Martin County Taxpayers Association
The Martin County Property Appraiser sent to each property owner, a notice of proposed property taxes. As we have discussed in previous articles, this is only a portion of the total amount we pay in fees and other taxes to support local government. We want to supplement the information provided with the proposal for those who feel the assessment might be incorrect.
The first block is labeled, ìTaxing Authorityî and lists the different agencies authorized to levy taxes on your property. The second block labeled, ìYour property taxes last yearî (column 1 at the bottom) shows the taxes levied by the various agencies for 1995. The last block labeled, ìYour taxes this year if no budget change is madeî (column 3 at the bottom) indicates the amount of current year tax if the rates remain the same, but your assessment is revised as indicated at the bottom of the form where it lists your property values this year and last. The difference in Column one and Column three is the increase based on the increase in your appraised valuation.
The third column labeled, ìYour taxes this year if proposed budget change is madeî (Column 2 at the bottom) indicates the amount of your current year assessment if the agencies listed in the first block do not decrease their taxing rates within this month. The difference in columns 3 and 2 is the increase based only on the increase in the tax rates.
As we just discussed, there are two elements to the amount of our taxes and any change therein. First is the change in the property valuation. That is the portion determined by the Property Appraiser. If you feel your assessed value as shown at the bottom of the form is incorrect, you should contact the Appraiser promptly and make an appointment to review your appraisal. In Martin County that number is 288-5608. The process begins with an interview at the Appraiserís Office, where adjustments can be made if the official feels it is warranted. If an agreement cannot be reached at this initial meeting, you will be informed of the next step, which will be a formal hearing. A petition for the hearing can be picked up at the Appraiserís Office and must be filed by September 24.
You should bring with you any information that you have which supports your claim, including recent sales in your neighborhood which reflect a lower value.
There are a number of other items which may affect the value of your property that are not apparent to the appraiser:
Provide survey showing differing size or wetlands.
Functional obsolescence of floor plan
Endangered species which restrict development
Changes in water depth due to silting
Site contamination information
Excessive flooding
This is the first year that your appraisal will be fully affected by the Save Our Homes (Amendment 10), which limits the appraisal of homestead property to the Consumer Price Index or three percent, whichever is lower. As explained by the Assessorís notice, this yearís limit is 2.5%; however, that is the maximum increase. It still cannot result in an assessment in excess of the fair market value of the property. In fact, the current assessments total $121 million less than the current appraisals on homesteaded property due to this cap.
Assessed values in Martin County increased by more than six hundred million dollars for 1996, primarily because of the addition of the new power plant in Indiantown. That would generate $11.5 million in new taxes with approximately three million to the county and five million to the school board. If there was ever a time the taxpayers could have expected a rate reduction is was this year, given this increase in revenue. If the administration cannot hold the line on taxes, this year we fear for the future. While Stuart and the smaller taxing agencies had slight or no increases this year, Martin Countyís rate increased over 5.5% and the composite Martin County School Board rate increased over 7.5%. If your problem is with increased rates, you should attend the public hearings shown in the fourth block of the form. Each agency listed sets its own rate and only through your participation at the hearings will you have any effect on the rate.
The Martin County Taxpayers Association has been working with the county staff at budget workshops and at departmental levels to assure the greatest benefits to the taxpayers for the tax dollars spent. If you have ongoing concerns related to county services or the cost of those services, do not hesitate to contact the county of your elected officials. And you should always feel welcome to join this Association in its continued vigilance.
We encourage your comments, criticisms, ideas, or any questions about how your taxes work; call or fax 288-0474 or write to us at P.O. Box 741, Stuart, FL 34995 or E-Mail us at mctaxpayers@mainstrusa.com or visit our WEB site, http://www.flmainstreet.com/mctaxpayers.