HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 2012-26RESOLUTION NO. 2012 -26
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF CAPE CANAVERAL, BREVARD
COUNTY, FLORIDA; CONCERNING AMENDMENT 4 TO THE FLORIDA
CONSTITUTION WHICH, IF ADOPTED, WOULD CREATE ADDITIONAL
INEQUITIES IN FLORIDA'S TAX SYSTEM BY GRANTING CERTAIN
TAX BREAKS TO SOME TAXPAYERS AT THE EXPENSE OF OTHER
TAXPAYERS; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, a proposed constitutional amendment sponsored by the Florida
Legislature will be placed on the 2012 general election ballot as "Amendment 4 "; and
WHEREAS, this proposed constitutional change reduces the current assessment
limitation on non - homestead real property from 10 percent to 5 percent; and
WHEREAS, the proposed amendment grants first -time homesteaders an
additional homestead exemption equal to 50 percent of the just value of the property up
to the county median home value; and
WHEREAS, the proposed amendment creates a provision that allows the
Legislature by general law to prohibit increases in the assessed value of homestead
property if the just value of the property decreases; and
WHEREAS, Amendment 4 creates inequities for non - homestead properties by
allowing identical properties to be taxed differently, and Amendment 4 extends the
sunset provision already in the Florida Constitution from 2019 to 2023, which allows
these inequities to be in place longer; and
WHEREAS, Amendment 4 shifts the tax burden to new or growing businesses,
creating an unfair disadvantage for new businesses that would have to pay higher
property taxes than their more established counterparts; and
WHEREAS, the non - homestead assessment cap reduction and the first -time
homesteader provision apply to city and county taxes and not to school property taxes;
and
WHEREAS, over the last few years, several property tax initiatives, including
additional homestead exemptions, Save Our Homes portability and statutory millage
caps, have also contributed to the unequal treatment of Florida's taxpayers.
WHEREAS, there are estimates of the total tax impact of Amendment 4 of $1.6
billion cumulatively over a four -year period beginning in 2013 -2014, with approximately
$447 million borne by cities;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Cape
Canaveral, Florida:
City of Cape Canaveral, FL
Resolution No. 2012 -26
Page 2 of 2
Section 1. That the City of Cape Canaveral will evaluate the impact Amendment
4 may have on its property taxes.
Section 2. That the City of Cape Canaveral urges its residents to carefully
consider the potential adverse consequences of Amendment 4 before voting in the
November 2012 general election.
Section 3. That a copy of this Resolution be provided to the Florida League of
Cities, Inc. and other interested parties.
ADOPTED by the City of Cape Canaveral, Florida, this 16th day of October,
2012.
ATTEST:
Angudla Appe r�s`on, sistant City
Manager /City Clerk
Ap
to Form:
Anit'iony A. Garganese, City Attorney
Rocky Randels, MAYOR
Name For
John Bond Motion
Bob Hoog X
Buzz Petsos x
Rocky Randels X
Betty Walsh Second
Against