HomeMy Public PortalAboutRES 12/14Resolution No. 012 -14
A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF GULF STREAM. PALM BEACH
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.
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 TOWN COMMISSION OF THE
TOWN OF GULF STREAM, FLORIDA:
Section 1. That the Town of Gulf Stream will evaluate the impact Amendment 4 may
have on its property taxes.
Section 2. That the Town of Gulf Stream 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.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Town Commission of the Town of Gulf Stream, Palm
Beach County, Florida, this 12Th day of October 2012.
(SEAL)
ATTEST:
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Town Clerk
TOWN OF GULF STREAM
Commissioner
Commissioner
Commissioner