Libraries Brace for Effects from Latest Florida Tax Cut
A constitutional amendment overwhelmingly approved by Florida voters January 29 will cut property taxes by some $9.3 billion over its first five years, with dire consequences likely for libraries already reeling from previous tax rollbacks.
Amendment 1, which passed by a 64%–36% margin, increases the homestead exemption by an average of $15,000, allows homeowners to transfer up to $500,000 in property-tax savings to a new house under the 3% “Save Our Homes” assessment cap, and gives new tax breaks to businesses, the Miami Herald reported January 30.
“At this point we don’t know the effect, because county and city governments are just now having their discussions,” Florida Library Association Executive Director Ruth O’Donnell told American Libraries January 31. “But based on the last round of cuts, they will be severe.” Last year the legislature passed a measure that went into effect October 1 requiring cities and counties to roll back their annual tax rates to 2006–07 levels and mandating additional cuts. At that time O’Donnell noted that nearly all the state’s public libraries froze vacant positions, with many cutting positions, slashing collections budgets, and reducing or eliminating such services as summer library programs, bookmobiles, and outreach.
O’Donnell said the impact of the cuts would not become clear until municipalities set their budgets for the next fiscal year. But already Leon County commissioners have tentatively slashed $13 million from their upcoming budget, with libraries likely to see a 19% cut, the Tallahassee Democrat reported January 31. Broward County Commissioner Kristin Jacobs said in the January 29 Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel that the county will have no choice but to make drastic cuts in libraries and other services. Palm Beach County government expects to lose $35 million in revenues the first year the amendment takes effect, with libraries losing $3 million, the Palm Beach Post reported January 30.
Posted on February 4, 2008; modified on February 7-8, 2008. Discuss.