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Senate panel lets property appraisers budget employee hiring and retention bonuses
Summary
The Senate Finance and Tax Committee voted to report SB 674 favorably after supporters said the bill would give property appraisers the same budgeting flexibility already available to tax collectors to pay hiring or retention bonuses, with no new state dollars requested.
Senate Finance and Tax Committee on Thursday reported SB 674 favorably, a bill that would allow property appraisers to budget for and pay hiring or retention bonuses to employees if such expenditures are approved in their budgets by the Department of Revenue.
Sponsor Senator Wright told the committee the bill “simply permits property appraisers, in addition to tax collectors, to budget for and pay a hiring or retention bonus to an employee of such expenditure is approved in their budget by the Department of Revenue.” The bill’s proponents said it does not ask for additional state funding, only budget flexibility at the county level.
Dana Blickley, Brevard County Property Appraiser, testified in support, describing staffing challenges facing appraisal offices and competition with private-sector employers. Blickley said the bill would help “make a positive impact on recruiting and retaining staff” and noted competition from aerospace and defense employers in her county.
Lauren Levy of the Property Appraisers Association of Florida and Bob Enriquez of the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser also filed appearance forms and waived in support.
The committee called the roll after Senator Wright waived closing remarks; the chair announced that by the senators’ vote SB 674 was “reported favorably.” The transcript shows no recorded amendments or debate on the measure.
The committee’s action moves the bill forward in the legislative process; no new funding was specified in testimony or in the committee record.
The committee did not attach conditions or a fiscal appropriation to the reported bill; the Department of Revenue’s role remains limited to approving such expenditures within appraisers’ approved budgets.
