Property Tax Discussion on Commissioners’ Agenda for Monday

After 5:30 p.m. on Friday, the media received an email from District 4 County Commissioner Ashlee Hofberger’s office:

Good afternoon,
Please see the attached press release from the Escambia County District Four office regarding Commissioner Ashlee Hofberger’s proposal for a comprehensive organizational efficiency study aimed at improving county operations and ensuring responsible use of taxpayer dollars that will be on the upcoming Monday, November 17th Board of County Commissioners agenda.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please feel free to contact our office.
Thank you,
Melanie Luna, Commissioner Aide, District 4

Unfortunately, the email had no attachment. I have emailed Hofberger’s aide for it and will post the information here once it’s received.

Hofberger does have an item on the Monday, Nov. 17 agenda – Agenda Item: “That the Board hold a discussion on hiring a firm to evaluate and make recommendations to maximize the efficiency of the County’s operations with the goal of achieving the rollback rate with the least impact to the community.”


Item includes Florida Association of Counties slides regarding the Florida House Tax proposals – House Tax Proposals slides

Overview: The package includes 7 Joint Resolutions (requiring 3/5 legislative approval and 60% voter approval) and 1 General Bill (simple majority). All proposals would protect law enforcement funding levels and hold school tax levies harmless.

Eight Proposals:

HJR 201 – Complete elimination of non-school homestead property taxes

  • Impact: $9B first year, $11.7B by year six

HJR 203 – Phased 10-year elimination via $100,000 annual exemption increases

  • Impact: $2.9B first year, $8.6B by year six, $11.7B when fully implemented

HJR 205 – Exemption for residents age 65+

  • Impact: $3.5B first year, $4.6B by year six

HJR 207 – New 25% assessed value exemption

  • Impact: $2.3B first year, $2.9B by year six

HJR 209 – Additional $100,000 exemption for insured properties

  • Impact: $2.2B first year, $2.8B by year six

HJR 211 – Removes $500,000 cap on Save Our Homes portability

  • Impact: $27M first year, $213M by year six

HJR 213 – Limits assessment growth to 3% over three years (homestead) and 15% over three years (non-homestead)

  • Impact: $1.1B first year, $3.6B by year six

HB 215 – Requires 2/3 vote for millage increases; allows married couples to combine Save Our Homes benefits

  • Impact: $24M first year, $64M by year six

Stay tuned for more information from Commissioner Hofberger.

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Author: Rick Outzen

Rick Outzen is the publisher/owner of Pensacola Inweekly. He has been profiled in The New York Times and featured in several True Crime documentaries. Rick also is the author of the award-winning Walker Holmes thrillers. His latest nonfiction book is “Right Idea, Right Time: The Fight for Pensacola’s Maritime Park.”