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Hernando Today

Talk Turns To Taxes

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By TONY MARRERO

Published: January 18, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - BROOKSVILLE - One by one, they took to the podium to make their pleas.

From sewage lines to children's mental health services, representatives from various organizations in Hernando County stood before their four Tallahassee politicians to seek help with their causes.

But it was also clear what else is at the front of many minds.

The laments from constituents about skyrocketing property taxes prompted Sen. Mike Fasano, Sen. Paula Dockery, Rep. Rob Schenck and Rep. Ron Schultz to defend the outcome of last year's special session aimed to give property tax reform that many said didn't go nearly far enough.

County commission candidate and Hernando Beach resident Wayne Dukes in particular sparked Fasano's ire when he said that Hernando voters gave the Senate "a failing grade" for not endorsing the more aggressive House plan.

A moment earlier, Dukes had asked the lawmakers to "keep the plow going" to bring the long-awaited and much-delayed Hernando Beach channel dredge project to fruition. Fasano, R-New Port Richey, not-so-subtly reminded Dukes what made the project possible, including a small-ports fund crafted with the Hernando dredge in mind.

"Remember the $7 million to help you take your boat out into the Gulf of Mexico?" Fasano shot at Dukes. "That came from the taxpayers from the rest of state. You're welcome."

The constitutional amendment on the Jan. 29 ballot, which would make the Save Our Homes benefit portable and increase the Homestead Exemption for some homeowners, is the product of much compromise to get the measure on the ballot, Fasano said.

"The bottom line is, if you don't have the votes, you have to be realistic," he said.

Fasano also challenged local property tax crusader Linda Hayward to "be honest" with voters and tell them that the so-called 1.35 percent amendment — which would limit property taxes to that amount of taxable value — is not going to get the amount of signatures required to get the initiative on the November ballot. He said he was told supporters are now shooting for 2010.

Fasano said he hasn't decided whether he'll support the measure. Schenck, R-Spring Hill, does and has campaigned for it.

"Don't discourage our grassroots because that's probably all we have," Hayward responded to Fasano, prompting applause from the audience.

Aside from those tense moments, the four lawmakers politely assured the crowd of roughly 50 or so that the amendment, as Dockery put it, "is a step. Not a final step, but we do have something. We didn't fail you in that."

Dockery, R-Lakeland, noted that the state's Taxation and Budget Commission, which meets every 20 years, meets this year.

"This isn't the last you're going to hear about property tax reform," Dockery said.

"It's just the beginning," Schenck said.

Fasano also responded curtly when Hernando School Board Chairwoman Sandra Nicholson mentioned concerns that the Legislature would reduce education funding in the budget process next year.

"Where did you hear that? Some teacher union organization or something?" Fasano said. "I think it was made clear by the governor, the Senate president and the Speaker of the House that we are going to hold education harmless."

He cited increases in education funding for the last 14 years.

"That's great news," Nicholson replied. "I'm glad I was able to come today to hear it from you."

Among the other requests constituents made during the meeting:

— County Commission Chairman Chris Kingsley asked the delegation to find a way to funnel more funding to help first-time home buyers in the county. The county's annual share of money through the State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program is spent quickly each year, Kingsley said, which "leaves a significant number of people not able to participate in the American dream of homeownership, and we need to change that."

— Brooksville City Council member Lara Bradburn submitted requests for more than $4.3 million to upgrade the city's aged water and sewer systems.

— Doug Leonardo of The Harbor told an anecdote about a child attacking his pregnant mother with scissors to emphasize the need for $450,000 for children's mental health services. "If our services aren't there, bad things can happen," said Leonardo, who also sought $500,000 for veterans services.

— Pam Hand, a customer of Coral Bay Builders, made a tearful plea for help to recoup losses she and her husband suffered when the builder went bankrupt and didn't deliver their home despite a 10 percent deposit. Coral Bay officials go to trial next month.

Fasano and Dockery vowed to craft legislation to address the issue; Fasano said a bill that would address the current lien law to hold builders more accountable is already being reviewed by a Senate committee. He also said he thinks builders should be required to put up a bond.

— Mark Berry of the ARC of the Nature Coast warned that cuts to programs serving people with developmental disabilities" are at the point "where it's not sustainable." "To cut too quickly would be damaging," said Berry, who also sought funding to upgrade and replace ARC's aging facilities.

— Joe Murphy, conservation chairman for Hernando Audubon, asked the delegation to increase state funding for land management and to consider a statewide fertilizer ordinance to protect natural gems such as Weeki Wachee Springs from nitrate pollution.

Reporter Tony Marrero can be reached at 352-544-5286 or lmarrero@hernandotoday.com.

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