Orange County mayoral candidate, Bill Segal wants to bring an end to higher property tax bills so that seniors can remain in their homes.
Outlining a plan on Tuesday, that would freeze property taxes for people over 65 years and over, Segal said that, “I do not want to see a single senior lose their home because they can’t pay their taxes. We need to make sure our seniors can stay in the homes they love for as long as they want to be there.”
The market value of homes have declined in recent years, although the taxable values of those same homes have continued to increase, resulting in higher tax bills.
Segal held a news conference at the home of Gloria Warden whose home has lost 20% of its value since 2006, but her taxes have increased by $130.
Seniors who live on a fixed income are hit the hardest by these increases. Just last week, seniors learned that there would be no cost of living increase in the 2011 social security checks.
Segal does not expect the freeze to have a significant impact on the Orange County budget. It would freeze the increase on less than eight percent of the county’s general fund revenue.
For a property tax freeze to become law, Florida voters would need to approve it. If 60% of state lawmakers favor the plan, it would appear on the ballot in 2012.
Segal faces his opponent, former Commissioner Teresa Jacobs in the race for Orange County mayor in the November 2nd general election.
