- April 25, 2024
-
-
Loading
Loading
Tony Ledbetter, leader of the Republican Executive Committee, will protest the county's proposed 44 cent millage increase until the final vote is cast Sept. 26.
BY WAYNE GRANT | STAFF WRITER
As the time approaches for the Volusia County Council to approve the budget and tax rate for the coming year, Tony Ledbetter, chairman of the Republican Executive Committee for Volusia County is gearing up.
“I have three people going through the budget line by line,” he said recently. He said they are looking for waste and places where the budget can be cut and he is going to start releasing the information soon.
He said county government needs to differentiate between “wants” and “needs.”
Ledbetter has organized rallies in the past to protest tax increases and is planning demonstrations when the County Council votes on the new tax rate at its Sept. 12 and 26 meetings. The meetings are scheduled for 6 p.m. in council chambers in DeLand.
“We will be there protesting at the council meetings,” he said. “Volusia County needs to live within its means.”
The budget that the County Council will be considering calls for an added 44 cents per $1,000 of taxable value due from homeowners.
The increase would bring the general-fund tax rate to $6.32 per $1,000. At that rate, the owner of a $125,000 home with $50,000 in exemptions would pay about $474. Last year’s millage rate was $5.88.
Doug Daniels, who represents the Ormond Beach area, cast the only vote against the tax increase at the July 25 Council meeting.
When presenting the proposed budget to the council on July 25, Dinneen said 572 county positions had been eliminated since 2007.
He also said that the general fund revenues from property tax have been flat at $133 million over the past three years. As a result, the city lost $9.2 million in buying power from inflation. Dinneen referred to this as “silent cost cutting.”
Ledbetter said that property taxes have risen this year and that would bring in more money for government even if the tax rate is not raised.
However, Tammy Bong, director of management and budget for the county, said that values are still below the levels of 2005.
Bong said more money is needed by county government this year to maintain the levels of emergency services (EVAC), Votran and economic development. Also in the budget, she said, is a $2 million state mandate for the Florida Retirement System. Money is also needed to offset rising costs of operations and pay adjustment, she said.
Ledbetter said local government should plan on getting increased revenue from taxes on businesses in the future and not depend on citizens.
“Look at the development that’s coming,” he said. “The hotels that are going to be built and the Daytona Beach Speedway improvements. There’s going to be more retail and great potential for commercial growth. Years ago this area had 10 million visitors a year. If we could get that many again it would make a big difference.”
