Reso 2007-1067 - Laserfiche WebLink

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RESOLUTION NO. 2007- I o(p 7 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SUNNY ISLES BEACH, FLORIDA, OPPOSING THE PROPERTY TAX REVISION PROPOSED BY THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE; EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE ALTERNATIVE PROPERTY TAX REFORM PROPOSED BY THE GOVERNOR WITH CHANGES; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO DO ALL THINGS NECESSARY TO EFFECTUATE THE INTENT OF THIS RESOLUTION; RECOMMENDATION OF THE CREATION OF A BLUE RIBBON PANEL; DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT AN EXECUTED COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO APPROPRIATE PARTIES; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, the Florida House of Representatives just unveiled their proposal to address property tax reform this legislative session; and WHEREAS, the proposal calls for a roll back of local property taxes based on a formula based on the City's 2001 rate, adding increases for inflation; and WHEREAS, if this proposal is passed as law, cities will have to comply with a spending cap based upon the 2001 spending formula, however, cities could exceed the cap with a unanimous vote of the governing body, and eliminate property taxes on homestead property and replace it with an increase in the State Sales Tax by 2.5 cents; and WHEREAS, if this proposal were to pass, it would equate to a net loss in property tax revenue of $8.1 Million Dollars for the City of Sunny Isles Beach, based on a rolled back Millage rate of 1.280 which would negatively affect the quality, quantity and types of all essential City services provided (i.e. Police, parks, recreation, communications, ocean rescue, transportation, administration, etc.); and WHEREAS, the plan proposed by the House has other flaws, including the following: I. First and foremost, this is an issue of local control. Local communities incorporate so as to detcrmine the level of service that its residcnts want. One size does not fit all. The proposal effectively eliminates Home Rule with the concept that lawmakers in Tallahassee understand how to address local needs better than local elected officials. 2. In addition to an adverse effect on level of service to residents, benefits to City employees, as well as workforce levels, will be reduced. We could place ourselves very easily in a situation where Municipalities in the State of Florida can no longer be competitivc in retaining top-level employees. 3. The State has mandated that certain serviccs provided previously by the State are now to be funded by local governments and yet the State is proposing to restrict the ability of R2007- Opposing Leg Plan To Eliminate Property Tax.Doc