Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners–Aug. 1

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Homeowners Looking For Answers

APOLLO BEACH – Come January, Florida voters will decide on a potential massive overhaul in how property taxes are assessed. But how it will affect homeowners and their pocketbooks is a question that has left some scratching their heads.

 

Broward schools’ $5.4B budget won’t reduce taxes

Broward School Board members on Tuesday approved a tentative $5.4 billion budget that will bring scant changes to most taxpayers but deep cuts to the district.

 

State revenue estimate down by nearly $1.5 billion

Florida’s slumping economy is expected to cost the state government nearly $1.5 billion in lost taxes during this budget year and the one that ended June 30, state economists said Wednesday.

 

Growth hurting Lee school test scores

Lee County’s explosive population growth is hurting standardized test scores, according to school district officials.

 

Countdown begins as school errors pile up

Ladies and gents, boys and girls, sit up and pay attention!

School Superintendent Anna Cowin’s latest blunder can’t be ignored. Oh, there’s nothing remarkable about her and her staff miscalculating — possibly by $200,000 — the cost of giving teachers raises they earned.

 

School board proposes to ask superintendent to ‘disagree agreeably’

VIERA — The Brevard County School Board began considering its annual evaluation of Superintendent Richard DiPatri today, with one board member suggesting the schools chief not take disagreements personally.

 

State tax plan may need more; residents explore options

As summer tax notices arrive, Broward County residents may be surprised by how little their taxes have changed.

 

Taxes going down, fees going up in Hallandale Beach

Taxes are going down but fees are going up here next year, the city commission decided today.

 

Some builders will squeeze through ahead of Hallandale Beach moratorium

Hallandale to put projects on hold for six months

HALLANDALE BEACH Some builders will be allowed to go ahead with their applications despite a six-month moratorium on major development that the City Commission is expected to approve today.

 

Group Seeks Recall Of City Commission
 
A Sarasota landlords’ group – furious that Sarasota City Hall circumvented the Florida Legislature’s summer initiative to hold down property taxes – is seeking the recall of all of the city commissioners.

 

Property Tax Reform May Offer A Little Mad Money For Hillsborough Residents

TALLAHASSEE – Got big plans for all that money you’re going to save on your property taxes this year?

 

State, Advocates Struggle With KidCare Money Debate

TALLAHASSEE – “If you’re healthy and you know it, then your face will surely show it; if you’re healthy and you know it, clap your hands.”

 

Developing a middle ground

Before Hometown Democracy becomes the next full-assault ballot-box war in Florida, the state’s development watchdog deserves to be heard. Tom Pelham, secretary of the Department of Community Affairs, is calling for a reasonable middle ground on managing growth, and he brings undeniable credibility to the debate.

 

Homeowners with damage from Feb. 2 tornadoes will get tax break

Gov. Charlie Crist today signed a bill that will reimburse sales tax on mobile homes purchased to replace those destroyed in the Feb. 2 tornadoes. It also allows homeowners to apply for property-tax relief if their homes were damaged in the storms.

 

Council to talk about charter school status

PALM BAY — The City Council will consider appealing the recent denial of three charter school applications by the Brevard County School District during its regular meeting Thursday.