TAX RATES SET IN CHARLOTTE COUNTY

CHARLOTTE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ON WEDNESDAY APPROVED THE COUNTYWIDE PROPERTY TAX RATE OF 6.0892 MILLS AT A MEETING THAT LASTED LESS THAN 20 MINUTES.  COMMISSIONERS WERE NOT IN TOTAL AGREEMENT HOWEVER, AS THE VOTE WAS 3-2 WITH COMMISSIONERS DICK LOFTUS AND ROBERT SKIDMORE DISSENTING.  THE MILLAGE RATE IS HIGHER THAN A YEAR AGO, BUT MOST PROPERTY OWNERS WILL SEE SOME REDUCTION IN THEIR TAX BILLS BECAUSE OF LOWER PROPERTY VALUES.  LOFTUS AND SKIDMORE OBJECTED TO THE MILLAGE RATE FOR THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE NOT BEING PROPORTIONED TO USAGE, SAYING MANY RESIDENTS WHO DON’T USE THE SERVICES WILL PAY THE SAME AS THOSE WHO MIGHT USE IT MANY TIMES MORE.  THEY WERE LOOKING FOR A FLAT ASSESSMENT.