I wanted to throw out there the tax cut proposal outline released Friday (after hours no less) and see if anyone here locally felt strongly one way or the other. I will preface this with the disclaimer that I do not wish to have a political blog; I just want to document our time here in the big old house, and maybe share a few stories of wood rot and preservation. There are several other blogs out of Seminole Heights which do an awesome job in calling out politicians, building neighborhood support for causes affecting us, and I worship these people...ok, maybe not worship, but I'm a pretty big fan, ok? Therefore I leave that aspect to them.
I personally am in awe of what has (or has not) been done with the landslide of tax revenue which has poured in to the cities and counties over the past several years, riding on the huge housing boom tsunami. Where is it? What extra funding has gone to the schools, the police/fire departments, the roads, neighborhood services; and if it hasn't been spent on these necessities, then where is the rainy day fund? I would *hate* to think that all of that money went to salaries and fringe benefits for people who should have been allocating these funds where they were needed most. That couldn't happen, right?
That being said, I think the officials have had their chance, and I think the homeowners need a break....I realize that some folks have been living in the same place and have no intentions of moving anytime soon, so this is a non issue for them. When we moved to Florida from Maine 5 years ago, the boom was really not in full swing yet, and Florida seemed highly affordable comparably. We were able to get twice the house for less money, and the cost of living seemed lower overall. I wish we had purchased in Seminole Heights right off the bat; the house prices would have been more affordable, and we would not have the tax bill we have. We were warned repeatedly about Seminole Heights-not the place for children...not safe, etc. So we ended up in another area until we had finally had it with subdivision life and moved here-drove by the house at lunch, walked through it after work, made an offer that night. We were in love. We realized values had risen steadily, so taxes would be more than our prior house, but we weren't thinking they would rise much, the house had changed hands a few times in the few previous years and had gone up a bit each time. When we got our TRIM notice last year, the house had been reassessed for $100K higher than the previous year, and the homestead exemption was not in place for us yet, so out taxes went from a slightly uncomfortable $6K to a really painful $9K. Talk about insomnia......Many people are affected this way, and many more are unable to upgrade or downsize because they will lose their exemption if they move. And the school/public programs are still being cut due to lack of funds.....
I was disappointed by the "right now" plan, but hopeful over the "next year" plan. they were talking about rolling taxes back to 2001 or 2003 levels, but they are "rolling them back" to 2006-2007 levels, which is not really rolling back, so to speak. Then there will be 5% cuts to county & local authorities, that plus an additional 3% cut from special boards like water and so on....it amounts to a couple hundred for us....although maybe it is more balanced with the huge "super exemptions" they will propose for next year......75% for the first $200K of your house's value.....then another 15% off the next $300K.....we would be taxed at $220K.....saving us approximately $4K......so because of that and the fact that government has not shown any responsibility in handling all that money they have been receiving lately, I support the proposal. It will benefit anyone who has moved into our neighborhood over the past 3 or 4 years, who have probably assisted in making the neighborhood more family friendly. I know from reading "Seminole Heights " blogspot that there are some people who have been here for many years and do not like the direction the neighborhood has taken, too gentrified, too Starbuck-y, they think the neighborhood has lost it's identity with all the "yuppies" and "DINK"s moving in. I really disagree with that; Seminole Heights has character, the kind of character many of us grew up with in our old fashioned neighborhoods, the kind of character you can't find in "Edward Scissorhand" kinds of neighborhoods; People from all walks of life enjoy this type of neighborhood, and if they want to be a part of one, and possibly help with the revitalization of said neighborhood, I don't think they should be boo'd off the stage. This neighborhood was not meant to be a sea of car lots, dilapidated houses and once beautiful houses modified & "improved" beyond recognition. this was a middle class, working neighborhood with commerce within walking distance, trolley service to downtown, and tons of neighborhood pride. We are very close to being that again (although thanks to I-275, we will probably never be 100% again). I have never felt a sense of community more than I feel here. People should not be repelled from moving here because of taxes OR residents who enjoy the Seminole Heights of the 70s and 80s and hate to see houses coming back to life. But-I digress.....the tax proposal....what do YOU think? Will it benefit you? Will it be a non event for you? I'm curious how this neighborhood would be affected if it pulls in 60% or more of the vote next January.....I suspect there will be a great divide over this. I just happen to be on the pro side......perhaps a bit self preserving...but $9K in taxes can be crippling and I see no streets paved in gold as a result of the tax revenue windfall, heck I don't even see some streets paved at all......
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