A few days ago the City of Winter Springs FL did pass a controversial fire assessment ordinance. The ordinance was revised from the original proposal, however the average homeowner will pay an non-ad valorem assessment of approximately $115 per year in addition to their current property taxes. This is a big sting to landlords and apartment complex owners who have to pay this fee for each unit they own. At least the fee was reduced from the original $216 proposal.
Many tax payers consider this fee a slap in the face since it circumvents the spirit of the tax reform of Amendment 1 passed overwhelmingly by voters. Other cities and counties in the area including Longwood and Orange County have looked at the example of Winter Springs and are considering a similar fee. Luckily the City of Casselberry just recently decided against this idea at their last commission meeting.
Watch for more and more cities and counties to try and reach into your wallet as they face budget cuts because of the struggling economy.
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(Copyright © 2008. Sand Dollar Realty Group, Inc. All rights reserved.)
Rob Arnold, ABR, CPL, CRB, GRI, Managing real estate broker, Licensed mortgage broker, Notary Public
407-389-7318 / 1-877-389-7318 www.SDRhouses.com/ www.WeBuyHousesFlorida.com/
Your full service and investor friendly Realtor in Orlando. Learn to invest in Central Florida real estate and Orlando real estate. Investor mentoring and counseling available. I also provide flat fee MLS listings, For Sale By Owner, and menu-based services in most parts of Central & South Florida, the Space Coast, and the Treasure Coast including Orlando, Winter Park, Maitland, Ocoee, Winter Garden, Apopka, Altamonte Springs, Casselberry, Longwood, Winter Springs, Oviedo, Lake Mary, Sanford, Deltona, Debary, Deland, Mount Dora, Eustis, Clermont, Kissimmee, Winter Haven, Lakeland, Tampa, Sarasota, Bradenton, Miami-Dade, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Port Saint Lucie, Melbourne, Daytona Beach, Ocala, Gainesville, Volusia, Brevard, and more.
We buy houses cash, sell properties, and list properties throughout Central Florida and the metro Orlando area.
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