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County staff warns sweeping property‑tax proposals could force $6.6M in cuts or new revenue
Summary
Okeechobee County presented a fiscal analysis showing that proposed state bills eliminating or phasing out non‑school ad‑valorem taxes on homesteads could require the county to find roughly $6.6 million or curtail services; commissioners discussed revenue options including franchise fees, impact fees and service reductions.
County finance staff and the county administrator told commissioners at the Feb. 13 meeting that proposed state legislation to exempt homestead property from non‑school ad‑valorem taxes could sharply reduce local revenues and force a combination of service reductions and new revenue sources.
Lisa (special projects manager) and budget staff provided an overview of several House proposals (HB 201, HB 203, HB 205, HB 209 and HB 213) that would either eliminate or phase out non‑school ad‑valorem taxes for homesteads or increase homestead exemptions. The staff presentation estimated county ad‑valorem revenue at roughly $35.2 million and said the loss…
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