Public hearing on county budget Tuesday

Historic City News will be on hand as County Administrator Michael Wanchick presents the county’s proposed 2011 budget to the St. Johns County Commissioners at a public hearing tomorrow evening at 5:30 p.m.

The proposed budget of $586 million is down $25 million from this year’s $611 million budget.

Tomorrow’s hearing will be the first of two public hearings on the proposed budget and will be held in the County Auditorium located at 500 San Sebastian View in St. Augustine. The second hearing will be on September 29th, at the same time and place.

With property taxes as the major funding source for local services and education in Florida, Historic City News has researched the proposed property tax numbers for St. Johns County reflecting the reductions and changes that have occurred during the past four years.

This report covers only the preliminary millage rates and a revised report will be completed after the first of the year when final millage rates and property values have been reported and verified.

Counties primarily provide public safety, fire, emergency medical services, public record-keeping, jails, parks, libraries, health care, economic development, comprehensive planning, and roads, just to name a few. Each year, unlike the state and federal government, counties are required to establish the property tax rate needed to provide services for their community.

FOR ST. JOHNS COUNTY:
2009Taxable Value: 20,454,452,841
2010Taxable Value: 18,363,373,855
% +/‐ in Taxable Value: (10.22%)
New Construction: 238,757,437
% New Construction: 1.30%
FY 09/10 Taxes Levied: 136,471,539
FY 10/11 Taxes Levied: 122,551,910
FY 09/10 Millage Rate: 6.6720
FY 10/11 Rollback Rate: 7.5381
FY 10/11 Millage Rate: 6.6737
% +/‐ Rollback Rate: (11.47%)
$ Change +/‐ Taxes Levied: (13,919,629)
% Change +/‐ Taxes Levied: (10.20%)

Three major factors have impacted property taxes in Florida over the last four years: the decline in property values, the implementation of the roll back rates (2007) and Amendment 1 (2008). This year alone counties have reduced revenue by nearly $583 million (6.05%). In four years, that reduction totals $2.5 Billion or 21% . These reductions have resulted in major workforce cuts as well as cuts to all levels of service.

For a complete statewide report compiled by the Florida Association of Counties, visit their website.