Cutting taxes is not mandate to bridge gap with fees, higher millage rates
To the editor:
The Pine Island Eagle came out with an editorial in the Oct. 7 issue advising a “hard NO” on Amendment 3 to reduce property taxes. The reasons given by the editors come from the Kool-Aid being poured out by our entrenched government bureaucrats. This may include “sky is falling” warnings from the independent Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Control District.
On Oct. 6, Lee County Property Appraiser Matt Caldwell appeared at the Greater Pine Island Civic Association informational meeting on Amendment 3. He too sounded the alarm, talking about the “budget gap” that will be created if Amendment 3 is passed.
A referendum to reduce property taxes is a very simple exercise in democracy. A super-majority of 60% is required to pass. A super majority voting for reduction of property taxes means the voters are unhappy with the current cost, efficiency and services of their local government. Such a vote does not mean that government bureaucrats and elected officials must increase service fees and the tax millage to “bridge the gap.” The vote means cut your budgets, be more efficient and provide hospitable service to your clients, the people.
The state of Florida is one of the most efficient state governments in the country. Florida has the lowest ratio of employees to taxpayers, the lowest spending, lowest taxes, has great credit and, in my view, provides courteous and respectful services. Lee County has the benefit of ever-growing tax income from a growing population and increase in property values. Lee County imposes one of the highest tax millage rates of over 3.76%. There is certainly fat to be cut, as the Clerk of Court independently cut over $800,000 in spending, 4.7% of that office’s budget. Florida Tax Watch said Lee taxes are the 16th highest of counties reporting. The key to me is the “personality” that Lee County employees present to the public. In my opinion, the higher a county employee is in the food chain up to the commissioners, the more hostile and less truthful they are to the public.
Matlacha and Pine Island love their fire district. Many years ago, it had to pull itself out of near bankruptcy. The fire district has been wildly successful in that endeavor, partly because it has routinely increased its millage rate from 2% to the current high of 3.75% — the state maximum — with very little oversight. Operating budgets recently are from $8 million to $16 million, depending on how one accounts for reserves and capital. Anticipated receipt of property taxes for the coming year is $8,891,610, the highest ever. The new Fire Station 2 in St. James City is being funded by a $5.6 million hurricane disaster grant and a $607,000 contribution from Lee County. The fire district is flush with money, recently bringing on board a huge hook and ladder truck which is of dubious utility given its weight, width of roads and the low height of buildings throughout the islands. The workforce of 40 for a 40-acre region may well have the highest salary, pension and benefits structure among any fire district of similar size. On the other hand, it may be the best trained and neighborly crew anywhere. When Lee County abandoned us after Hurricane Ian, thank goodness for these men and women.
Bottom line: Cutting taxes is hardly a mandate for our elected officials to “bridge the gap” with fees and higher millage rates. Less government.
J. Michael Hannon
Matlacha