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SAVE THE DATE!
VOLUSIA TAX REFORM
TOWN HALL MEETING
“CORRUPTION UNCOVERED”
APRIL FOOL'S DAY
THURSDAY, APRIL 1ST
6:30 P.M. TO 7:30 P.M.
PLACE TO BE ANNOUNCED
“WE WON'T BE FOOLED AGAIN”
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Newsletter 02.18.10 (Back to top of page)
Topic: Florida Forever and your tax dollars
DID YOU KNOW:
THROUGH THE FLORIDA FOREVER PROGRAM, THE CITIES AND COUNTIES ARE USING YOUR TAX DOLLARS TO PURCHASE CONSERVATION PROPERTY?
DID YOU KNOW:
THAT PROPERTY WHICH HAD BEEN ASSESSED BY THE PROPERTY APPRAISER FOR THE PAST 20 YEARS FOR $77,500.00 WAS PURCHASED BY THE COUNTY OF VOLUSIA FOR $1.5 MILLION DOLLARS?
DID YOU KNOW:
THE CITIES AND COUNTIES ARE PURCHASING EASEMENTS FROM 4 TO 6 MILLION DOLLARS OF YOUR TAX DOLLARS?
WATCH THE INVESTIGATIVE REPORT AS SEEN ON CHANNEL 9 NEWS:
http://www.wftv.com/video/22584811
DID YOU KNOW:
IN A STATE WIDE POLL CONDUCTED BY WWW.LOWERTAXESNOW.ORG 58 PERCENT OF CITIZENS STATED FLORIDA HAS PRETTY SERIOUSLY GOTTEN OFF ON THE WRONG TRACK.. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT WWW.LOWERTAXESNOW.ORG AND SIGN UP AT AND BE READY TO GATHER WHEN YOU ARE CALLED.....
As the saying goes, Follow The Money which is exactly what we have done through our budget study groups.
The Forever programs purchase properties that are in danger of being developed. These properties may be wetlands, historical, etc. So the State, County, Cities and/or Water Management Districts may purchase these jointly or individually. Since 2002 the Florida Forever Program has purchased $2.2 Billion worth of properties.
The following is just a small example of what we have found and are consistent throughout the State:
For the past 20 years three parcels in Volusia County were assessed by the property appraiser for a total of $77,500.00. In 2004 the County put these properties on it's wish list to purchase through the Forever Program. From 2004 to 2007 the property appraiser then increased those values by 2,000 PERCENT to 1.4 Million Dollars. Note, condominiums located on the beaches throughout the State did not increase by 2,000 Percent during this same time frame. The County then received three appraisals and the one they used was valued at 1.5 Million Dollars. In 2007 the County purchased these parcels for 1.5 Million Dollars. The appraisal specifically stated this value is based on hypotheticals, as the majority of the property is wetlands and landlocked. No lender would ever loan on these properties as it is landlocked and also, the owners in order to develop these properties would have to obtain permits from the St. John's Water Management District in order to develop the wetlands. In all likelihood St. John's would never allow this to happen. The Florida Forever Program is for properties that are in DANGER OF BEING DEVELOPED.... Did this property meet the criteria?
Not only this, but the Forever program is purchasing easements for 4 to 6 million dollars each. Now usually easements are given, they are not purchased. For this kind of money the Forever program should have purchased the properties. When you purchase an easement, the owner still owns the property but just agrees not to ever develop a certain portion of their property.
Also, there are numerous instances where properties were valued by the property appraiser for $300,000.00 and the County purchased it for 1.6 Million Dollars.
Its up to each of us to save our state, act now, sign up above to receive informational flyers, get involved and join one of our budget study groups...attend council meetings, we want your opinion, we need your voice...DONATE TO THE CAUSE... run for office......
E-mail us at Margie@lowertaxesnow.org or call Margie at 386.212.3968 to get involved!
Follow me on Facebook for daily updates.
Margie will be the guest speaker this Friday at Countryside Home Owner's Association Meeting in Port Orange Florida at 7 p.m.
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Newsletter 02.11.10 (Back to top of page)
Topic: Holly Hill
Everyone,
In our last email to you regarding Holly Hill's real estate taxes collected had incorrect figures. Unfortunately, we had our decimal in the wrong place... (Note, when you are dealing with millions, tens of millions, hundreds of millions and billions, it is easy to do..) So Note the following is the correct figures and charts:
- REAL ESTATE TAXES COLLECTED IN 2003 $1,489,626.00
- REAL ESTATE TAXES COLLECTED IN 2008 $2,542,372.00
- THE REAL ESTATE TAXES THE CITY OF HOLLY HILL COLLECTED INCREASED 70 PERCENT FROM 2003 TO 2008
CHARTS AT BOTTOM OF EMAIL
The County of Volusia last September at it's budget meetings were threatening to stop funding the social services if they cut the real estate taxes, BUT on the last County Agenda they had an item to approve to build a $422,000 new building for it's land acquisition department. Does this make sense to you? It was pulled from the agenda at the last minute. Let's see when this item comes up again for a vote and if our elected officials will vote to build it......
As we realize this year the tax assessed values are going to continue to fall and the cities and counties are going to want to increase the millage rates AGAIN... Folks, this has got to stop! Our elected officials are starting to hold budget workshops, please email or contact your elected officials and tell them WE CAN'T TAKE IT ANY MORE.. ENOUGH ALREADY!
On February 27 and 28th there will be a Bike Freedom Rally at Volusia County Fairgrounds. On Sunday, February 28th, Lt. Col. Allen West is the featured speaker. Please visit our website http://volusiataxreform.com for more information.
Advalorem Property Tax Collected
HOLLY HILL
In a recent state wide poll conducted by LowerTaxesNow.org, 73 percent OF THE CITIZENS STATED THAT GOVERNMENT SHOULD CUT TAXES ON SMALL BUSINESSES AND CORPORATIONS TO GIVE THEM MORE FLEXIBILITY FOR HIRING WORKERS.......WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Pd. Pol. Adv. paid for and approved by VolusiaTax Reform P.A.C.
Copyright 2010 .
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Newsletter 02.01.10 (Back to top of page)
Topic: Holly Hill
Click Here to download as a .doc file
DID YOU KNOW:
THE CITY OF HOLLY HILL POPULATION INCREASED 5 PERCENT FROM 2002 TO 2008
DID YOU KNOW:
THE REAL ESTATE TAXES THE CITY OF HOLLY HILL COLLECTED INCREASED 70 PERCENT FROM 2003 TO 2008?
DID YOU KNOW:
IN 2003 HOLLY HILL COLLECTED $1,489,626.00 IN REAL ESTATE TAXES?
IN 2008 HOLLY HILL COLLECTED $2,542,372.00 IN REAL ESTATE TAXES?
THE POPULATION INCREASED FROM 2002 TO 2008 BY 637 CITIZENS?
DO THE MATH!
In a recent state wide poll conducted by loweretaxesnow.org , 73 percent OF THE CITIZENS STATED THAT GOVERNMENT SHOULD CUT TAXES ON SMALL BUSINESSES AND CORPORATIONS TO GIVE THEM MORE FLEXIBILITY FOR HIRING WORKERS.......WHAT DO YOU THINK?
VISIT OUR WEBSITE AND SIGN UP AT AND BE READY TO GATHER WHEN YOU ARE CALLED.....
It’s up to each of us to save our state, act now, sign up above to receive informational flyers, get involved and join one of our budget study groups...attend council meetings, we want your opinion, we need your voice...even run for office......
E-mail us at info@volusiataxreform.com or call Margie at 386.212.3968 to get involved!
Follow me on facebook for daily updates.
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Newsletter 01.26.10 (Back to top of page)
Topic: Daytona Beach
DID YOU KNOW:
THE CITY OF DAYTONA BEACH POPULATION INCREASED 2.8 PERCENT FROM 2002 TO 2008
DID YOU KNOW:
THE REAL ESTATE TAXES THE CITY OF DAYTONA BEACH COLLECTED INCREASED 116 PERCENT FROM 2002 TO 2008?
DID YOU KNOW:
IN 2002 DAYTONA BEACH COLLECTED $14,130,000.00 IN REAL ESTATE TAXES?
IN 2008 DAYTONA BEACH COLLECTED $30,467,000.00 IN REAL ESTATE TAXES?
DID YOU KNOW
THE POPULATION INCREASED FROM 2002 TO 2008 BY 1,808 CITIZENS?
DO THE MATH!
In a recent state wide poll conducted by www.LowerTaxesNow.org , 91 percent OF THE CITIZENS STATED THAT ANY BOARD WHICH LEVIES A TAX SHOULD REQUIRE VOTER APPROVAL BEFORE BEING ABLE TO RAISE TAXES... WHAT DO YOU THINK?
VISIT OUR WEBSITE AND SIGN UP AT WWW.VOLUSIATAXREFORM.COM AND BE READY TO GATHER WHEN YOU ARE CALLED.....
It’s up to each of us to save our state, act now, sign up above to receive informational flyers, get involved and join one of our budget study groups...attend council meetings, we want your opinion, we need your voice...even run for office......
E-mail us at contact@volusiataxreform.com or call Margie at 386.212.3968 to get involved!
Follow me on facebook.com for daily updates. This Friday, January 29th, Volusia Tax Reform will be giving a presentation for the 912 Group at Sica Hall in Holly Hill at 7 p.m.
CHANGE IN DAYTONA BEACH'S REAL ESTATE TAXES FROM 2002 TO 2008
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Newsletter 01.18.10 (Back to top of page)
Topic: Volusia County
DID YOU KNOW:
From 2002 to 2008 Volusia County Population increased 13 percent while property taxes, INCREASED 75 PERCENT?
DID YOU KNOW:
VOLUSIA COUNTY SPENDING IN 2008 WAS MORE THAN IT COLLECTED IN REVENUES?
In a recent state wide poll conducted by LowerTaxesNow.org, 58 percent of the citizens said they feel the State of Florida is on THE WRONG TRACK! WHAT DO YOU THINK?
VISIT OUR WEBSITE AND SIGN UP AT WWW.VOLUSIATAXREFORM.COM AND BE READY TO GATHER WHEN YOU ARE CALLED.....
It’s up to each of us to save our state, act now, sign up above to receive informational flyers, get involved and join one of our budget study groups...attend council meetings, we want your opinion, we need your voice...even run for office......
E-mail us at contact@volusiataxreform.com or call Margie at 386.212.3968 to get involved!
Follow me on facebook.com for daily updates. This Thursday, January 21st, Margie is the Guest Speaker at the Seminole County REC meeting at 7 p.m. at Eastmonte Center, 830 E. Magnolia Avenue, Altamonte Springs.
County Spending increases from 2002 - 2008
Volusia County Taxes and Spending vs. Population
County Spending Changes 2008 vs 2002
Volusia County per Household Taxing and Spending.
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Newsletter 01.08.10 (Back to top of page)
Topic: Ocean Center
Everyone
First we hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and we are looking forward to an historical 2010. More and more people are becoming involved in what is happening with their local government.
As you know, our budget study group has been very busy over the holidays. We will be releasing our findings each week and posting on our newly revamped website at www.volusiataxreform.com We are all very excited about this new format so please visit our website and find out what is happening in each city. Please read below:
There are three outstanding Bonds that were issued since 2004 to pay for Ocean Center Facilities.
The Amount Borrowed was 88 million but the real costs are outlined in the data below.
Total Repayment costs will exceed 164 million. That figure represents the Cost of Money under the current policies of the council.
What is not reflected is the opportunity costs and long term impact on the community.
The tax implications alone are astounding.
On one Bond issued in 2004 , $99 out of $100 collected from the Tourist Development Taxes are going to Wall Street Bankers. 1% stays in the Community.
We have been burdened by 12 million in taxes while the principle has been reduced by a mere 95 k.
These policies and practices by the County Commission will ruin us for decades to come. These elected officials live in a two or four year election cycles. As they float the Idea of another one cent sales tax increase to "pay for roads" we should consider the above information.
If we give them a revenue stream of 8 million per year by passing the one cent increase they will simply Borrow another 60 million and send the tax revenues out of the community like they are currently doing with the Tourist development taxes.
Lets say "no" to another increase in Millage or local option sales tax increase. Help stop this spending and join us, sign up for our e-mail blasts, join the budget study group or run for office.
Follow me on facebook.com for daily updates.
Margie Patchett
LowerTaxesNow.org
386.212.3968
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Newsletter 12-18-09 (Back to top of page)
Topic: All Cities
Everyone,
Below is a chart of our municipal debt, per person, (for every man, woman and child) in Volusia County cities with a population of 20,000 or higher. These numbers were compiled by Ormond Beach staff in response to Mayor Costello receiving VTR info and becoming curious as to how Ormond Beach compares to surrounding cities. These numbers include both Commission authorized debt and debt voted on by residents such as under grounding of utilities, new Police Stations, etc. These figures do not represent the cities TOTAL DEBT... these figures are only for general operations and infrastructure only. This does not include debt for enterprise zones, (hospitals, etc., ) Community Redevelopment Areas, etc. For those of you who are curious about the City of Holly Hill, it was not included in this chart as their population is below 20,000 however their total debt per capita in the general fund is $1,899.00.
So, for a family of four that live in Port Orange, the city is paying $11,576.00 towards just the general obligations debt! Remember too the average wage here in Volusia County is about $33,000 per year. Folks this is unsustainable and why Florida is one of the worse economies in our nation...
Also, VTR's budget study group has revealed the following:
The Debt analysis revealed this.
Volusia county is $ 298,959,000.00 in Debt.
The Combined Debt of all Cities in Volusia County is $678,228,000.00
County Taxpayers are bearing the cost to service $977,187,000.00 Dollars of debt. That’s nearly ONE Billion Dollars!
These totals do not include enterprise zones, CDDs or other special Districts like Hospitals ( Bert fish 13 million etc) where reporting standards are less stringent.
On the Horizon!!
Volusia County will need to provide 237 million for Sun Rail according to the Orlando Sentinel which will put us at 1.2 Billion in Debt! $6000 per household.
We are on the verge of contributing 50 million per year in the County to service debt !! For every homeowner (approx 200 k) homes that is $250 per year .
It’s up to each of us to save our state, act now, sign up above to receive informational flyers, get involved and join one of our budget study groups...attend council meetings, run for office......
E-mail us at contact@volusiataxreform.com or call Margie at 386.212.3968 to get involved!
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