Osceola County closes public hearing on proposed property tax levy after resident raises notice and jail-funding concerns

The Osceola County Board of Supervisors opened a noticed public hearing on a proposed property tax levy, heard public comment, and then closed the hearing with procedural motions and unanimous vocal approval.

The hearing drew a lengthy public comment from a resident who said many neighbors did not receive mailed notice about the levy and raised broader concerns about county decisions and the levy’s intended use. The resident said, “a lot of my neighbors didn't get it” and added, “What it's for is for the jail.” The resident asked the board to rescind the levy notice and to send an affidavit to the governor and attorney general requesting an investigation into how the levy process began.

The board handled routine procedure items before and after the public comment. A motion to approve the agenda for the property tax levy public hearing was moved by Supervisor Scholte and supported by Supervisor Loring; the board voted by voice and approved the agenda. After public comment, a motion to close the public hearing was made and the supervisors voted to close it. The board then voted to adjourn the public-hearing meeting on a motion from Supervisor Helmers with support from Supervisor Devore; the votes were recorded by voice as ayes.

Board members did not engage in extended public debate about the levy’s specifics during the recorded portion of this hearing. A county official asked whether any written comments had been received; the transcript indicates none were received during the meeting. The resident who spoke said he could provide documents supporting his assertions and urged the board to investigate past county actions; he linked those concerns to the levy discussion but did not list statutory citations.

The hearing record in the transcript does not specify the proposed levy rate, the dollar amount expected to be raised, or the formal ordinance or resolution number authorizing the levy. The record also does not include a roll-call vote listing individual supervisor votes; motions were approved by voice vote. The meeting proceeded to adjournment and to the next regular session scheduled to start at 9:00 a.m.

The hearing's outcome was procedural: the board opened the public hearing, accepted public comment, closed the hearing, and adjourned the public-hearing meeting. Any formal adoption or adjustment of the property tax levy itself is not recorded in this transcript excerpt.