2012-11 Amendment 4 RESOLUTION NO. 12-11
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA
CONCERNING AMENDMENT 4 TO THE FLORIDA CONSTITUTION
WHICH, IF ADOPTED,WOULD CREATE ADDITIONAL INEQUITIES IN
FLORIDA'S TAX SYSTEM BY GRANTING CERTAIN TAX BREAKS TO
SOME TAXPAYERS AT THE EXPENSE OF OTHER TAXPAYERS;
PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
WHEREAS, a proposed constitutional amendment sponsored by Florida Legislature will be placed
on the 2012 General Election Ballot as "Amendment 4"; and
WHEREAS, this proposed constitutional change reduces the current assessment limitation on non-
homestead real property from 10 percent to 5 percent; and
WHEREAS, the proposed amendment grants first-time homesteaders an additional homestead
exemption equal to 50 percent of the just value of the property up to the county median home
value; and
WHEREAS,the proposed amendment creates a provision that allows the Legislature by general law
to prohibit increases in the assessed value of homestead property if the just value of the
property decreases; and
WHEREAS, Amendment 4 creates inequities for non-homestead properties by allowing identical
properties to be taxed differently, and Amendment 4 extends the sunset provision already in
the Florida Constitution from 2019 to 2023, which allows these inequities to be in place longer;
and
WHEREAS, Amendment 4 shifts the tax burden to new or growing businesses, creating an unfair
disadvantage for new businesses that would have to pay higher property taxes than their more
established counterparts; and
WHEREAS,the non-homestead assessment cap reduction and the first-time homesteader provision
apply to city and county taxes and not to school property taxes; and
WHEREAS, over the last few years, several property tax initiatives, including additional homestead
exemptions, Save Our Homes portability and statutory millage caps, have also contributed to
the unequal treatment of Florida's taxpayers.
WHEREAS, there are estimates of the total tax impact of Amendment 4 of $1.6 billion cumulatively
over a four-year period beginning in 2013-2014, with approximately $447 million borne by
municipalities.
NOW THEREFORE, it is resolved before the City Council for the City of Okeechobee Florida;
presented at a duly advertised public meeting; and passed by majority vote of the City Council;
and properly executed by the Mayor or designee, as Chief Presiding Officer for the City:
Section 1. That the City of Okeechobee, Florida, will evaluate the impact Amendment 4
may have on its property taxes.
Section 2. That the City of Okeechobee, Florida, urges its residents to carefully consider
the potential adverse consequences of Amendment 4 before voting in the
November 2012 General Election.
Resolution No. 12-11 Page 1 of 2
Section 3. That a copy of this resolution be provided to the membership of the Florida
League of Cities, Inc. and other interested parties.
Section 4. If any section,subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or portion of this Resolution,
or application hereof, is for any reason held invalid or unconstitutional by any
court of competent jurisdiction, such portion or provision and such holding sha"
not affect the validity of the remaining portions or applications here.
Section 5. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED in regular session this 16th day of October, 2012.
,, James E. Kirk, Mayor 4>c;1214--
ATTEST
( ' . I: / 0 OU'Lb
Lane Gamiotea,(CMC, City Clerk
REVIEWED FOR LEGAL SUFFICIENCY:
\ ick\I
John R. Cook, Ci y Attorney
Resolution No. 12-11 Page 2 of 2