Broward Schools and Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners

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Looming Suit Complicates State’s Tax Picture

Florida’s property tax debate has played out on the gubernatorial campaign trail and in the state Legislature. In January, it goes to the people.  Ultimately, there could be another venue with a significant role in revamping the state’s property tax system: the courts.

 

School Violence Begets Insurers’ RM Programs

In the wake of the Virginia Tech shooting massacre, two insurers and an insurance brokerage have announced programs to deal with such situations.

 

Housing market still troubled

Property appraisers’ report reflects slowdown — coastal areas hit hard
 
Central Florida’s most troubled real estate: low-end condos. Where are values level? Established neighborhoods. What prices are rising? Lakefront property.

 

Pembroke Park may fire Broward Sheriff’s Office as fee jumps $1 million next year

Sheriff’s Office fee too high for Pembroke Park
 
Faced with a huge bill from the Broward Sheriff’s Office and dwindling revenues, town leaders say they may have to trade the blue lights of deputies for the yellow lights of security guards.

 

Cities propose canceling parties, pruning payrolls

In Miramar, people might be walking through higher grass and attending fewer community events. Cooper City residents might be saying goodbye to one school resource officer and driving over more potholes.

 

Cities to Gain Little as Tax Roll Increases

The annual increase in the tax roll isn’t the great news it once was.  Ask Lake Alfred City Manager Jan Shockley.  Taxable value of property in Lake Alfred increased 70.2 percent this year – the highest in Polk County, according to figures released by Polk County Property Appraiser Marsha Faux.

 

Never mind about that zero property tax cut

Contrary to previous figures, New Port Richey may cut its tax rate 9 percent. Reserve funds would cover the cuts.  No state-mandated cut in the city’s taxes next year? It sounded too good to be true.

 

New construction could ease Tallahassee’s tax sting

Property value increases in Volusia and Flagler counties tailed off in 2007 compared to recent years.

 

Raiding reserve funds would be imprudent

It’s an appealing target, but Hernando County commissioners should resist the temptation to make a significant withdrawal from their reserve accounts to compensate for the loss of property tax revenue mandated by the state Legislature.

 

Recreation cuts need scalpel rather than ax

When it comes to cutting their budgets to meet a state mandate, city governments have turned almost reflexively to recreation programs. City officials have been quick to say that public safety is their primary obligation, and that means no or few cuts to police and fire, but recreation programs seem to be fair game.

 

County filling teacher vacancies

Shortage across state not hitting district as hard

The Leon County School District had as many as 175 job openings for teachers on Teacher Interview Day on May 31.

 

Candidate: Story on me is wrong

The education official disputes a newspaper and a blogger.

Florida’s No. 2 education official is tangled in a cyber-tussle with a tiny Minnesota newspaper and a scientist who blogs about the politics of teaching evolution.

 

Editorial:  No more excuses

The defense mechanisms at Florida A&M University have worked far more effectively in recent years than the auditing methods, which is one reason the institution is now in danger of losing its accreditation. With its very survival now in question, FAMU can no longer afford to live in a state of denial.

 

Broward County school names reflect nature, not presidents

None in Broward bears a president’s proper name
 
When it comes to education in Florida, nature holds sway over history.  Of the state’s nearly 3,000 public schools, only 59 are named after presidents, while 155 are named after lakes, 91 after woods and 54 after palm trees.