Escambia Tax Roll Increase May Exceed 14%

 

Escambia County's Property Tax Roll for this budget year may increase more than 14% 

With so much negativity surrounding the economy lately, it is refreshing to hear some good news for a change.

I have now heard from reliable sources that our local tax roll's expected increase will be larger than originally thought.  From an individual with firsthand, in-depth knowledge:   "We ran the numbers today, the county should see about a 14% increase..may be a little higher by August we are continuing to add value." 

Given the fact that we have negotiated large pay increases for each of our bargaining groups, our insurance costs have increased, labor costs have skyrocketed, projects are coming in significantly over budgeted amounts, ECFR needs more money, and gas is now firmly $4.50 a gallon locally---the fact that our tax roll has increased is timely because our static millage rate applied to a growing tax roll is how we will responsibly raise more revenue to pay for all these increased costs without raising the millage rate.

The state's ridiculous construct of a "rolled back" rate won't come into play in this budget cycle---given everything that is going on with this horrible economic disaster Washington DC has created for us.

No doubt there will be some who want to roll back our rate so that we get the same revenue as last year and not a penny more--dancing to the tune of the state legislature in order (in their opinion only) to not "Raise Taxes".  Interesting that the same voices that will push for the rollback rate are the same ones that want us to give huge raises to everyone and build everything under the sun all while working with no revenue increases.  Paradoxical the faux-logic some of these folks display; what, do they think we are bureaucrats in DC that don't even talk about raising taxes but rather simply keep printing money?  No, we aren't them, we have to balance a budget with what we have and we don't get to print money.

So--- given dramatic price escalations on everything---- that (roll back rate) won't happen.

Importantly--- keeping the millage rate steady is not raising taxes; never has been never will be.  Raising millage rates is a tax increase.  The legislature made that definition up to box local governments in by forcing them to advertise a tax increase even when the millage rate is not increased.  Pretty neat trick they tried, while they themselves grow bigger and bigger, gigantic budgets year over year and simultaneously pat themselves on the back for "cutting taxes!" (and a majority of what they call cutting taxes come in the form of dictated cost increases for local governments and school boards, and unfunded mandates, combined with "cuts" that reduce local government revenues while holding the state's revenue streams essentially harmless).  It's a nifty schtick, I give them that at least.

But no, not rolling back is not a tax increase.

And yes, a little good news on our tax roll is a welcome relief amid this coming recession.  Hopefully this Washington DC created economic disaster and recession won't be a repeat of 2008.  Hopefully.