Property Value Challenges

If you own property in Pinellas County, you likely received your property assessments this past week. The property appraiser's office mailed the Truth in Millage (TRIM) notices on Monday, August 24, 2009.

The TRIM notice includes the home owner's property taxes, property assessments, and proposed millage rates set by various taxing entities. The market value shown on the 2009 TRIM notice is based on market condition and ownership status as of January 1, 2009 and is determined by analyzing sales that took place in 2008.

Property owners have until Friday, September 18, 2009 to file a petition challenging the notice. For the first time in Pinellas County, property owners who disagree with their property value assessments can file petitions to go before the Value Adjustment Board (VAB) online via the Clerk’s website, www.mypinellasclerk.org, beginning on Monday, August 31, according to Ken Burke, Clerk of the Circuit Court. Other methods of petitioning to go before the VAB are still available. The forms can be accessed online, then mailed or filed in person at the Clerk’s Board Records department located on the fifth floor of the Clearwater Courthouse, 315 Court St., Clearwater or may be dropped off at one of these Clerk’s branch offices: the St. Petersburg Branch at 545 First Ave. N., St. Petersburg; the Tyrone Branch at 1800 66th St. N., St. Petersburg or the North County Branch at 29582 U.S. 19, Clearwater.

The Value Adjustment Board serves as the decision-making authority between the property owners and the property appraiser when there is a disagreement over exemptions, valuations and classifications. Once a petition is filed, a quasi-judicial hearing is scheduled with a special magistrate. For more information, visit the Value Adjustment Board page at www.mypinellasclerk.org or call Board Records at 727-464-3458.

Pending Bills Will Increase Filing Fees

Today, I received a letter from our locally elected, Clerk of Court, Ken Burke. He advises that 2 bills which passed the recent legislative session and are awaiting the Governor's signature cause some serious concerns. The bills in question are Senate Bills 1718 and 2108.

The first bill will dramatically increase filing fees by instituting a graduated scale for real property or mortgage foreclosure cases where, in some cases, filing fees may be as high as $1,900. The bill also greatly reduces the operational funding for Clerks statewide which will result in severe staff reductions and necessarily impact service levels.

The second bill restricts spending for technology initiatives that would enable the Clerk to further streamline work processes and increase office efficiency.

While these bills address items that may not be very glamorous they have real impact on all of us and fundamental right to access and effectively utilize the Court system. We need the system to civilly resolve disputes. I know that our Pinellas County Clerk’s Office is committed to providing exceptional service in all areas of operation under Mr. Burke's leadership.

Consider if you would like to help let Governor Crist know the negative impact of these bills, and if so, get involved and send him a letter. The address is: Office of Governor Charlie Crist, State of Florida, The Capitol, 400 S. Monroe St., Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001

Financial Woes Affect School Board Policy

I have been watching the situation unfold with the School Board with a mixture of disappointment and reluctant acceptance. My children, like so many in Pinellas County, go to a school we were able to chose a few years back rather than the one closest to our home. As the school system faces this unparallelled budget crisis I have sympathy for the members trying to figure out ways to literally cut millions of dollars and still educate these children while at the same time I share the frustration of so many parents who took the time to learn about all the schools in our area and pick the one best suited to our family's needs. Now after we are so invested in our school having to move next year is very sad to think about. Then again I know these times might call for drastic changes and we are literally all in this together. So what ever happens we will adapt.