URGENT!! - Crunch Time

URGENT! - Crunch Time

Dear Readers:

This Tuesday, September 6th at 5:15, the County Commission will hold the first of two Budget Adoption Hearings at the Courthouse Annex Building. The first Hearing is always the most important of the two. At this point, we expect little or no movement from the original tentative budget presented by the Commission. This is especially true without a major turnout by Franklin County Citizens. It is vitally important that our Commission and staff know that their constituents are watching their activities, plans, budgets and how they’re spending your tax money!

Look at your TRIM Notice. Examine not just your assessment, but the taxes you will be expected to pay. If you are homesteaded, that’s great for now. But your taxes will go up each year by another 3% until your Taxable Value and Your Just Value are the same. As our Property Appraiser Rhonda Skipper wrote to me: “If you have a non-Homestead parcel that you have owned for one full tax year, the market has NO limit. However, the taxable amount can only increase 10% per year, excluding the school portion of your taxes and any new additions to your parcel such as, for example, new construction, or additional land added to the original parcel.” If you’re a business or are non- homesteaded, you’ll be experiencing the greatest tax increase.

Do you accept the taxes that you’re being assessed? Then do nothing. If you think the County Commissioners need to revisit their spending and sharpen their pencil, then have your voice heard and either attend the Hearing or contact your commissioners. Your silence sends the message that their spending is acceptable. If you’re not engaged nor participate, then expect that nothing will change and your taxes will increase. Everyone must do his/her part. It will take grassroots critical mass to get the commissioners’ attention. Ask the commissioners to use the “rollback” rate to keep their spending at this year’s level.

Folks, we have problems with several budget-busting aspects of the budget. There is little budget rigor evident. Next year, with the likelihood of a recession, we may see property values decline which will make paying your taxes even more onerous. This should be an ominous concern for a county on the wrong side of the growth curve.

Folks, rapid and usually unnecessary increases in our local government spending get you nothing other than higher taxes. If you agree, please make your voices heard. Come to Tuesday’s meeting and let our commissioners know that we want them to live within their means. That is especially so during these inflationary times that are putting so many under great financial stress. If you’re unable to attend the Hearing in person, please email or call the commissioners and, please send me a copy or tell me what Commissioners told you. Their contact information is below my signature.

Can’t attend in person? Here’s the link to participate via Zoom: Click Here

If you have any questions or concerns, or if we can help you in any way in pursuit of our established goals, please reach out to us! And please help support the CCFC as it continues the battle for a better, more representative, and transparent government. Donations, which are not tax-deductible, may be sent to the address below.

Thank you.

Allan J. Feifer

President
Concerned Citizens of Franklin County, Inc.
P.O Box 990
Eastpoint, Florida 32328
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
ABetterFranklin.com
(850) 653-5571

Commissioner Contacts:

Commissioner Bert Boldt - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - 519-4966

Commissioner Smokey Parrish - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - 653-8790

Commissioner Ricky Jones - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - 653-8861

Chairman Noah Lockley - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - 653-4452

Commissioner Jessica Ward - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - 653-9783

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