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Vol. 14 No. 22 Thursday, August 22, 2002 NewsObserver@netscape.net
Press Release from Brevard County Property Appraiser Jim FordBy JIM FORDBrevard County Property Appraiser Jim Ford has asked the Brevard County Legislative Delegation to provide some form of enforcement authority in the Special Act which was enacted by the State Legislature in 1974 and amended in 1985 establishing a limit on city and county increases in ad valorem taxes (attached). The Special Act limits annual increases for the cities and the County Commission to 10% and a County Charter Amend~ment limits the County Commission further to a 3% increase without voter approval. These tax caps on annual revenue increases do not apply to the School Board, Ford said. The Charter Amendment was launched by Ford as Chairman of the CAPIT Political Action Committee and passed with over 80% voter approval in 1996. Ford said that the County Commission has not complied with existing property tax cap laws and he wants the authority to reject all millage (tax) rates provided by any affected local taxing authorities which are not in compliance With this Act or any other requirements of local application adopted by a vote of the people. Ford has confirmed that the County Commission increased property taxes for operating funds by 8.5% last Fiscal Year and they are proposing a bigger increase of 10.5% for next Fiscal Year. This amounts to an actual increase of 24.6% in two years which has been totally misrepresented to the public as much smaller tax increases. In his letter (attached), Ford said one alternative would be to give him the specific authority to reject certification provided by each local taxing authority, if such is in violation of the cap, and return same to the local governmental unit for correction or resubmission to his office within 3 days. Failure to do so would constitute the enactment of the rollback rate pursuant to section 200.065(2)(b), Florida Statutes. The rollback rate is the tax rate which will provide the same revenue as was collected by the taxing authority the previous year and is usually less than the rate applied the prior year because of increased, market-driven property valuations. In recent news stories, the County Commission has tried to portray having one of the lowest tax rates in the state, referring to the general fund alone as the operating fund. Ford said this is totally inaccurate. The operating fund consists of the aggregate of all millage levies which are not voted debt. This includes all the Municipal Service Taxing Units (MSTU’s). The tax cap laws speak to the aggregate operating fund revenue and not the general fund alone. Ford said there are so many ways for taxing authorities to “spin” this issue that taxpayers often find themselves confused. For example, Ford said sometimes the taxing authority will refer to the 3% cap as a cap on the millage rate but it is actually a cap on revenue. Other times they will say they are leaving the millage rate the same as the prior year but this is a tax increase if property valuations have increased. He further said that ~(the complexity of the issue has created an environment for abuse, misrepresentation and manipulation by the county that would rival some of the bogus accounting techniques revealed of late in corporate bookkeeping.” He said that is why he has produced charts (attached) which compare revenue from one year to the next in the manner it is supposed to be represented and which the public can easily understand. Ford said the numbers in the charts are irrefutable and tell the real story about property tax increases, even those that comply with the cap but are substantial. According to Ford, last year the County Attorney offered a new interpretation for operating fund revenue calculations which departed from the interpretation used for over 25 years which he had never before questioned, and in so doing provided his bosses (the County Commission) with a windfall of additional tax revenue. Ford said the County Commission ignored the fact that they had used an accepted methodology for over 25 years but after a few years under the lower 3% cap, they decided to get the County Attorney to give a new interpretation of the Charter which would provide a big revenue increase over the established methodology. Ford said the County Commission gladly capitalized on the County Attorney’s opinion and ignored the fact that over 80% of the voters wanted a real 3% tax cap. “The County Attorney issued an opinion that supported a new methodology which conveniently achieved the desired results,” Ford said. Ford further said it is evident from the County Commission meeting minutes of September 28, 1999 (attached), that the County Commission thought it more important to challenge the legality of a charter provision than to defend the will of the voters. Ford said that he is relatively certain that Commissioners were posturing and actually hoping that the county would be sued for exceeding the cap so that they would have an opportunity to possibly have it declared unconstitutional. An overturn of the tax cap could happen if the Commission failed to adequately defend the tax cap against a legal challenge. Such was consistent with the fact that the cap had been criticized by Commissioners as being unconstitutional at meetings in spite of the fact that the Commission is duty bound to defend and support the will of the voters as expressed in the Charter. He said this is clearly evident from the September 28, 1999, Commission meeting minutes wherein the County Commission actually voted to have the County Attorney explore how they could get the issue before a Judge and obtain a declaratory judgement. According to Ford, the proper way to evaluate annual property tax increases, as envisioned in the tax cap laws, is to compare the total amount of taxes being billed to taxpayers based upon preliminary tax rates adopted for all operating funds, exclusive of the revenue to be raised from new construction and improvements not appearing on the previous year’s assessment (tax) roll, with the total amount of revenue received from billings the prior year for those same funds. That is what the tax cap law actually calls for, and the way it was calculated for over 25 years Ford said. In addition to the authority to reject the tax rates imposed if the tax caps are exceeded, Ford is also recommending that a definition be included which will close the door on the County Commission’s new interpretation of aggregate operating fund revenue which was never intended by lawmakers or voters. Ford has prepared charts illustrating these comparisons which are available on his office’s website at www.brevardpropertyappraiser.com. Click on the (TAX FACTS) button.
Ground Breaking of the Professional Aircraft Accessories Company
Ability Health Services to have grand opening/ribbon cuttingAbility Health Services will be having their grand opening and ribbon cutting on the 29th of August at their new outpatient Physical Therapy clinic located on US-1 in the Buena Vista building This event is open to the public. Nadine De Freitas, MA, PT, ATC/L is the physical therapist/ athletic trainer who provides provides outpatient physical therapy and sports medicine services to all clients . Nadine is also the Athletic Trainer for Titusville high school and the Port St. John Rockets Youth Football and Cheerleading Club. Ability offers a free injury assessment consult to the public. Just call to schedule your appointment at 383-1411.
Poe Property approved
By BOB SOCKS
6th Annual Policeman’s Ball On Saturday, September 21, 2002, the Titusville Police Department’s Police Athletic League (PAL), will sponsor the 6th Annual “Policeman’s Ball”, at the Titusville Elks Lodge 2113. This is a formal event (black tie optional) and the proceeds will benefit the Titusville Police Athletic League's youth programs. The theme for this year’s ball is “Honoring Our Heroes,”. The evening will consist of cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, dinner and great entertainment. The music will be provided by “Swingtime,” a 16 piece band specializing in Big Band sounds of the 1930’s and 40’s, with a repertoire ranging from jazz to light rock. Come join PAL as they honor our police officers, firefighters and military personnel.
Jessie James was piker next to deal pulled by Forte Macauley group on county staff, commission“You can learn a lot just by watching," was one of Yogi Berra's sayings, that was recently almost topped by County Commissioner Jackie Colon , who had this to say about the millions Brevard overspent in the landfill deal down at Sarno Road; "Something happened here with taxpayers' money and we need to get to the bottom of it."What happened is simple. For whatever reason this land purchase was placed on the consent agenda. The consent agenda! Like it was a couple thousand-dollar purchase for some equipment in the human resource office. Where was everybody on the county commission n. Out to lunch? The whole sordid deal reminds me of one of Murphy's Laws that proclaims if only one bid can be secured on any project, the price will be unreasonable - and, in this case, if more than one person is responsible for a miscalculation, no one will be at fault. While I can't believe anyone on staff lined their wallet with a kick back, I do believe a thorough and complete investigation is called for to determine who was watching the store when some fast-talking negotiators completely conned the honchos of county staff who were probably unwitting pawns of one of the premier stings pulled off in many a moon. And, get this. Even after solid evidence had been shown indicating that the warning bell should have rung loudly in a deal where the county paid $7.25 million within 24 hours of a deal netting a profit to the seller of $6 million, no one thought it an unreasonable profit. And despite an interesting commentary on the mess by Clerk of the Court Scott Ellis, and others who compare it to the sale of the Brooklyn Bridge, Brevard County Solid Waste Management Department director, Euripides Rodriquez remains steadfast in his defense of the purchase. Just as an aside the name " Euriphides" rang a bell and after checking I was reminded that his name is taken from an Athenian tragic dramatist. This guy really believes the county got a good deal and he still stays by his guns, also saying that the County Commission approved it. Of course they did. It was on the consent agenda.. What I would like to learn some day in the future is why Dick Rabon quit suddenly while these property negotiations were ongoing. The hair on the back of my neck is bristling about this and I suspect there's more to it. The one change that should result is that they should be no more rubber-stamping by the County Commission without public discussion. I'm also convinced that had any member of the commission did any homework, read anything, or talked to knowledgeable business people about the price for the property there would have been a red flag waving in more wind than those flag sticks at the PGA championship in Chaska last Saturday. Rodriguez says he faithfully followed the county's existing land acquisition policies, that were pre-approved by the county attorney's office. I don't doubt that he did. Which brings us to the county policy - and to common sense. A reasonable profit is one thing, but this deal reminds me of the old time vendors in a burlesque house selling crackerjack boxes to the commissioners with the promise that each box contains a diamond. The suckers went for it every time. Where the county got snookered was that the seller knew what the use for the property was to be and took advantage of it. Nobody could, or would , play their cards close to the vest. The seller held aces, the county held jokers. The last published remark by Euripides is a winner. "Too often government is criticized for not operating like a business. This acquisition was a sound business decision," he said. What struck me about this whole deal was what if it happened in Titusville - not that there is a chance in hell it could, but could you imagine the hew and cry from the public after learning, among other things, that the appraisers were suggested by the seller? Who, I should add, had no special expertise or experience in appraising landfill property. No, I don't believe there was any criminal intent involved here. But this is another Golden Age of stupidity and makes one think twice about the people in charge of our county government and their mistakes. If the five members of our County Commission have only one person to blame, then it is each other. Around, in, and outside the house - for the esoteric only.When you spend time, you get to thinking about the things you see. I've been spending the last few months at home. Not that I want to, but some days I have little choice. For example, we have a dining area in two rooms, but I'd almost always rather eat in the bar or upstairs. When I was growing up we ate in the dining room, or the kitchen for breakfast. Today it's in front of the TV in the combination bedroom/sitting room, pullman kitchen. It's simply convenient. Particularly with a dumb waiter transporting all the heavy stuff upstairs.And, since we also have a refrigerator upstairs it makes it really convenient to be lazy. Being home a great deal one notices things. For example; sitting outside evenings and watching the sun set, having a drink before dinner and watching the news. We no longer watch TV in the 'great room' but closer to the action where our Canadian and Polish potato vodka beverages are more handy. It takes ones mind off the worlds problems. One of the things I do by habit is to open the newspaper to the Garden Section each Saturday. Even before the local or national news. Last week I read - no - absorbed a piece from the Associated Press that discussed the fact that lawn nouveau relieves mowing chores. The term no doubt applies to some type of novelty you recently learned about. Or it could mean some kind of tasteless ostentation. Anyway, the piece talked about leaning to mow less for environmental reason, or because you'd rather be doing something else - like hitting the links. To make a long story short it discussed "Lawn Nouveu" in which you sculpt out a design in your lawn with two tiers of grassy growth. Even before reading the article I was searching my brain for a new and different look for our yard. After reading it I decided I would give our lawn a Mohawk look. I have no idea how it's going to turn out, or how it will look at ground level or from the air. Basically what I'm going to do with a pair of lawn mowers is to keep some parts low and other high - with artistic definition. Using both a push mower and riding mower, cut between 2 inches and as high as 6 inches, to create a mosaic with a combination of real grass and other stuff that grows along with it. I intend to make crisp boundaries (like they do at Willow Lake Golf Course) between the tall and low grass - keeping everything neat of course) so it doesn't look like I forgot to finish mowing the lawn. I know it wont save any time, in fact it will probably take me an additional 8 house each week to achieve the desired results, but imagine the artistry and the finished juxtaposition of flora and fauna. According to the article the beauty of this new Lawn Nouveau is that the tall grass will not be only grass, but other plant species gradually elbow their way in. Rather than carving fancy designs in your lawn I will use the tall and short grass portions to help define my "garden room" - and I don't have to restrict myself to sharp angles, straight edges or 90 degree corners. I can be as creative and imaginative as I wish. I can make little island greens, second cut rough, or other squares and circles to break up the monotony and dull repetitious ness. When I find out what the hell I'm doing I may even try to construct a small putting green, complete with flag stick and a couple of holes. I plan on being bold in concept and design, pushing and pulling until I've got it right. Of course I'm going to have to climb up on the roof to to determine if what I've accomplished has a subliminal look, or I've created an aberrant nightmare. Or, the result could become a labyrinth of crabgrass and dollar weed. But whatever the result I'm going to create a relationship9 with our lawn marked by harmony, conformity and accord. It will also give us little paths we can walk out to the lake in and avoid being bitten to pieces by fire ants. I know Martha Stewart would not approve of my new project but I'm going to forge ahead regardless and will ignore the vituperation of neighbors and friends who am convinced I've finally lost it. I will stand by the Latin term, Verdad es verde. Truth is still green. An item only the warriors will understand.....I guess it wont be long before Knight's Armaments of Vero Beach and now Titusville are up and running in our city, and one of their new projects will be the dual-ammunition rifle.It seem the hottest new weapon in the special forces arsenal is a modified M-4A1 carbine that can fire ammunition designed for a common type of Soviet rifle. Clips for the AK-47 Kalashnikov, fielded in 1949 and used by 50 armies, are sometimes left behind by fleeing terrorists. To enable its new SR-47 to fire these "battlefield pickups," Knight's Armament modified the M-4A1 by extending the upper and lower receivers, bolt carrier and firing pin. They also modified the magazine release to handle the Kalashnikov's distinctive curved magazine. The designers are looking into a similar modification that would allow the M-4A1 to fire ammunition from the newer AK-74 assault rifle. I knew these people knew what they were doing and happy they will now be doing their thing in Titusville. Instant triviaI know that everyone knows that Rich Beem won last week's PGA tourney and pocketed almost a million bucks. However, how many of you know how much their caddies earn? Steve Williams, who now caddies for Tiger Woods, earned about a million dollars last year. Not bad money to toting a 40 pound bag. That's more than Ben Hogan earned in the first five years of his professional career as a pro golfer.Until Tiger came along the biggest money winner on the PGA Tour was Greg Norman whose winnings totaled $9.5 million through 1997. The next time you want to win a few dollars at a bar bet at the 19th hole ask your playing partners what was the name of the amateur who won the first Open Championship played over four rounds of 18 holes at Muirfield in 1892 with scores of 78, 81, 72 and 74 for a total of 305. In today's game that wouldn't make the cut. You can put the money in the bank. Answer next issue, unless you call News Observer Publisher Paul Smith before then. He's got the answer. And speaking of answers, I've got to call Supervisor of Elections Fred Galey and ask him why on my new voter identification card it lists my race as "5." I know it has everything to do with political correctness but I want him to confirm this. I'm particularly interested in the races of 1 through 4. Aren't you?
By BOB SOCKS Cost of GovernmentDig Deep: Florida operates with the l4th highest cost of government among all 50 states.That's the conclusion of a recent study by Americans for Tax Reform, a government watchdog group that has published the report for 11 years. The study measured the average tax burden by taxpayers and adds that total to the cost of federal and state regulations. The group said the average Floridian would have to work 181 days this year to cover the cost of operating state government. Space NewsNASA has chosen the University of Florida as the lead institution in a nearly $16 million dollar research initiative aimed at making space flight as routine, inexpensive and safe as commercial air travel. The space agency has announced that UF will lead a seven-member consortium of universities that make up its newly created Institute for Future Space Transport. The institutes overall goal is an ambitious one: to design spacecraft and systems that will reduce launch costs by a factor of 100 and increase safety by a factor of 10,000.NASA-gasSeeking new technology to produce hydrogen closer to the launch pad, NASA has awarded five Florida universities $8.1 million. UCF and the University of Florida are heading up the project. NASA currently relies on a 50-truck convoy to haul 300,000 pounds of hydrogen from New Orleans for each shuttle launch.The Ninth of April Restaurant,located in the former Perkins Restaurant, and Po Folks Building on the comer of U. S. I and Sycamore St. has closed its doors. The Ninth of April owners, famous in Georgia for their Harold's BBQ opened mid-May and closed its doors on the 13th of August.Strictly my opinionWith all the approvals in order, Brevard Crossings, a 1.1 million square foot mega mall will begin construction early next year. The Mall will be located at the intersection of 524 and 1-95, approximately a 20 minute drive for most Titusville residents. Its very possible that this mall will have a direct and immediate affect on Titusville shoppers, particularly the megastadiurn theatre that will be included in the complex. Will Sears, Belks and Penney's flee Titusville for greener pastures? Yes, I think they will. All three have been here for 35 years or so, and I think they will re-position to capture a lot more of the market in a more centralized location.Lance Bass, the N Sync super star is going to the space station. In my opinion, this may be the best possible scenario for the struggling space program. The eyes of the world will be on this young man for 10 days, particularly the young people of the world, and with that kind of intense interest, the sparks of imagination may ignite a resurgence in manned space flight. We certainly need it. Our aging space vehicles have more cracks in them than the weathered face of an eighty year old. The infrastructure at the Kennedy Space Center is literally falling apart, the crawler is down to a slow crawl and NASA needs a huge infusion of money. Lance Bass may help. QUOTE OF THE WEEK: "Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves, some turn up their noses, and some don't turn up at all." - Sam Ewing, American HumoristlWriter -- 1921 -
The Great Outdoors golf club is offering $5 off golf with their coupon. Go out for a fun day of golf and save.
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