Res 54-04fi"
RESOLUTION NO. 54-04
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF DELKAY BEACH, FLORIDA, OPPOSING THE
AMENDMENT TO THE FLORIDA CONSTITUTION THAT
WOULD RAISE FLORIDA'S HOMESTEAD EXEMIYl'ION
TO $50,000.00.
WHEREAS, Florida's property tax continues to be a strong source of revenue for most local
governments; and,
WHEREAS, Florida currendy has a homestead exemption in which $25,000.00 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 three (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 $25,000.00 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 $25,000.00 homestead exemption to $50,000.00; and
WHEREAS, if this amendment is approved, the City of Delray Beach would suffer a loss of
approximately $3,300,000.00 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; and
WHEREAS, this amendment would have a greater impact on local governments who are at
or near the ten (10) mill 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.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. That the City of Delray 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 Delray Beach urges voters to oppose this initiative on the
November general election ballot.
PASSED AND ADOPTED in regnl~r session on this the {,1~' day of July, 2004.
ATI'EST:
Acting City Clerk
2 RES. NO. 54-04
Memorandum
FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES INC.
TO: Key Officials
FROM:
John Charles Thomas, Director
Legislative and Public Affairs
Proposed Constitution Amendment to Increase the Homestead
Exemption
DATE: July 1, 2004
The Executive Committee of the Florida League of Cities recently voted to oppose
the effort to raise Florida's homestead exemption from $25,000 to $50,000 because
of its impact on city revenues.
Attached is a draft resolution for your city's consideration, should you wish to
adopt a resolution.
For additional information, please feel free to contact me at the League or visit
www.truthabouthomestead.com
Attachment
301 South Bronough Street · Post Office Box 1757 · Tallahassee, FL 32302-1757
'elephone (850) 222-9684 · Suncom 278-5331 · Fax (850) 222-3806 · Website:www.flcities.com
RESOLUTION NO. 54-04
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA, OPPOSING THE
AMENDMENT TO THE FLORIDA CONSTITUTION THAT
WOULD RAISE FLORIDA'S HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION
TO $50,000.00.
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 $25,000.00 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 three (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 $25,000.00 homestead exemption to low income
senior citizens; and,
WHEREAS, efforts are currently underway, by a group called Famih'es for Lower Property
Taxes, to place an amendment on the November 2004 general election ballot that would increase
Florida's current $25,000.00 homestead exemption to $50,000.00; and
WHEREAS, if this amendment is approved, the City of Delray Beach would suffer a loss of
approximately $3,300,000.00 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; and
WHEREAS, this amendment would have a greater impact on local governments who are at
or near the ten (10) mill cap for ad valorem taxes and would not be able to raise their property taxes
to make up for this loss in revenue; and
WHEKEAS, 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.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. That the City of Dekay 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 Delray Beach urges voters to oppose this initiative on the
November general election ballot.
PASSED AND ADOPTED in regular session on this the
day of July, 2004.
ATTEST:
MAYOR
Acting City Clerk
2 ~S. NO. 54-~