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County supports property tax amendment
More than 58 percent of voters endorse state’s tax revision.
By TROY ROBERTS
troberts@lakecityreporter.com
Columbia County residents voted to support a property tax amendment that could have a big effect on the housing market and have a lasting effect on taxable properties for years to come.
More than 58 percent of county voters — 7,868 — voted to approve the property tax revision on Tuesday’s Presidential Preference Primary ballot. Nearly 42 percent, or 5,634, voted “no” on the amendment.
Statewide, Amendment 1 passed with 64 percent of voters’ approval with 75 percent of precincts reporting, according to The Associated Press. The constitutional amendment required 60 percent of voter approval to pass.
The amendment will allow an increase in the homestead exemption, from $25,000 to $50,000, and give homeowners the ability to take portability, or the taxable difference between the “just” value and “assessed” value of their homes, to another residence in Florida if they move.
The amendment also has an effect on non-homestead properties and makes personal tangible property exempt up to $25,000 in value.
Overall, 13,502 ballots were cast for the property tax amendment, either by voting Tuesday, early voting or voting by an absentee ballot. Supervisor of Elections Liz P. Horne said she was pleased with the turnout as she was only expecting to see about 28 percent of voters make it to the polls.
The unofficial results were released Tuesday night at approximately 9 p.m. The certified results from Columbia County will be available later today.
More than 58 percent of county voters — 7,868 — voted to approve the property tax revision on Tuesday’s Presidential Preference Primary ballot. Nearly 42 percent, or 5,634, voted “no” on the amendment.
Statewide, Amendment 1 passed with 64 percent of voters’ approval with 75 percent of precincts reporting, according to The Associated Press. The constitutional amendment required 60 percent of voter approval to pass.
The amendment will allow an increase in the homestead exemption, from $25,000 to $50,000, and give homeowners the ability to take portability, or the taxable difference between the “just” value and “assessed” value of their homes, to another residence in Florida if they move.
The amendment also has an effect on non-homestead properties and makes personal tangible property exempt up to $25,000 in value.
Overall, 13,502 ballots were cast for the property tax amendment, either by voting Tuesday, early voting or voting by an absentee ballot. Supervisor of Elections Liz P. Horne said she was pleased with the turnout as she was only expecting to see about 28 percent of voters make it to the polls.
The unofficial results were released Tuesday night at approximately 9 p.m. The certified results from Columbia County will be available later today.
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Amen wrote on Jan 30, 2008 7:02 AM: