Even if property-tax relief passes, Cape Coral can still take it back
To the editor:
Florida voters will soon have the opportunity to approve substantial property-tax relief.
But passing the amendment will not, by itself, guarantee that Cape Coral taxpayers keep the full benefit.
Each year, the Property Appraiser certifies taxable values, the city calculates the rolled-back rate, and the city council decides what millage rate to adopt.
When taxable values rise, the council can lower the millage rate and still collect more property-tax revenue. That is how elected officials can say they lowered the rate while taxpayers send more money to the city.
If taxable values fall because of a larger homestead exemption, the same process can work in reverse. The calculated rate can rise, and the Council can vote to increase the millage rate to replace some or all of the revenue reduction.
The city could also attempt to recover the lost revenue through higher fees or assessments.
That means voters could approve property-tax relief, only to have part of it taken back locally.
This is why the upcoming Cape Coral elections matter.
Every candidate for mayor and City Council — and every current officeholder — should be asked to make a clear taxpayer pledge:
“If property-tax relief passes, I will not vote to raise Cape Coral’s millage rate, fees, or assessments for the purpose of taking that voter-approved relief back.”
Tax relief should mean taxpayers keep more of their own money. It should not simply cause the city to replace the revenue somewhere else.
Because every taxpayer matters.
Wes Owen
Cape Coral