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HomeMy Public PortalAboutLetter to Property OwnersCOMMISSIONERS WILLIAM F. KOCH, JR. Mayor JOAN K. ORTHWEIN, Vice Mayor FRED B. DEVITT III CHRIS 0. WHEELER MURIEL J. ANDERSON Dear Property Owner: TOWN OF GULF STREAM PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA Telephone (561) 276-5116 Four (561) 737-0168 Town Manager WILLIAM H. THRASHER Town Clark There is growing agreement that the property tax system is sorely in need of reform. Neighbors in nearly identical homes pay drastically different amounts in taxes, and that inequity must be fixed. Property owners should not be shocked by large unanticipated tax increases. Likewise, municipalities need a consistent stream of revenue to plan for existing services and future growth. As state lawmakers grapple with potential reforms, it's important we protect vital services such as police, fire, and road maintenance, as well as the ability of individual communities like Gulf Stream to decide what's important to us. Only 13 percent of property taxes go to cities. Current proposals from the governor and the House would drastically reduce that funding, creating the need for cities to reduce the essential services they provide. Additionally, budget caps proposal are equivalent to state government setting priorities for local communities. In a state with immensely diverse cities, the needs of Gulf Stream differ from Miami or rural Madison. We must preserve the ability of local communities to set their own priorities. One size does not fit all. I hope city residents in Gulf Stream and all other cities throughout Florida will tell their state lawmakers that property tax relief doesn't have to mean a one-two punch to cities and the essential services their residents need. Most importantly, the solution must also preserve the ability of local governments to be self- governing. Local governments are the closest governments to the people. Citizens have access to our meetings and can more easily make their voices heard here than in Tallahassee. The property tax structure must protect this quality and allow local residents to decide what services and programs deserve their funding. - Mayor William F. Koch, Jr. v Gulf Stream 100 SEA ROAD, GULF STREAM, FLORIDA 33483