Resolution No. 04-06RESOLUTION NO. 04-06
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH OPPOSING AN
AMENDMENT TO THE FLORIDA CONSTITUTION THAT WOULD
RAISE FLORIDA'S HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION TO $50,000
WHEREAS, Florida's property tax continues to be a strong source of revenue for most
local governments; and
WHEREAS, Florida currently has a homestead exemption in which $25,000 can be
deducted from the assessed value of a primary residence, for the purposes of paying property tax;
and
WHEREAS, in 1992, Florida's voters approved the Save Our Homes amendment, which
limits the increase in the assessed value of a primary residence to no more than 3 percent a year
or the amount of the consumer price index (CPI), whichever is less; and
WHEREAS, in 1998, Florida voters approved an additional constitutional amendment
that allows cities and counties to give an additional $25,000 homestead exemption to low income
~"` senior citizens; and
WHEREAS, efforts are currently underway, by a group called Families for Lower
Property Taxes, to place an amendment on the November 2004 general election ballot that would
increase Florida's current $25,000 homestead exemption to $50,000; and
WHEREAS, if this amendment is approved, the City of Atlantic Beach would suffer a
loss of approximately $285,000 and would be forced to respond to this loss by reducing vital city
services to its citizens, or by raising other fees and taxes to continue these vital services.
WHEREAS, this amendment would have a greater impact on local governments who are
at or near the 10 mil cap for ad valorem taxes and would not be able to raise their property taxes
to make up for this loss in revenue; and
WHEREAS, this amendment negatively impacts non-homesteaded residential properties
and commercial properties that do not receive any homestead exemption, because they would
face higher property taxes if the millage rate were to increase; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY OF ATLANTIC
BEACH:
Section 1. That the City of Atlantic Beach opposes the Homestead Exemption
amendment and urges its citizens not to sign petitions supporting its placement on the November
ballot.
Section 2. That the City of Atlantic Beach urges voters to oppose this initiative on the
November general election ballot.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City of Atlantic Beach, this /2# Day of
2004
MESERVE
Ap oved as to form and correctness:
AN C. SEN, ESQUIRE
City Att ey
ATTEST:
MAUREEN KING, CM
r City Clerk