Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/86226
Sarasota News Leader October 5, 2012 Amendment 10 would provide "an exemption from ad valorem taxes levied by counties, mu- nicipalities, school districts, and other local governments on tangible personal property if the assessed value of an owner's tangible personal property is greater than $25,000 but less than $50,000," according to the Division of Elections. The amendment would take effect on Jan. 1, 2013. Additionally, it would authorize "a county or municipality for the purpose of its respective levy … to provide tangible personal property tax exemptions by ordinance. This is in addi- tion to other statewide tangible personal prop- erty tax exemptions provided by the Consti- tution and this amendment," the Division of Elections website says. "This is the one that really affects business," Cooper pointed out. THE AMENDMENTS AS A GROUP SKVA member Anne Johnson recommended everyone read the voters guide published by the League of Women Voters, as the organi- zation is nonpartisan. The guide, she said, "explains really well what all these gazillion amendments mean." The guide reportedly is available at all Sara- sota County libraries. Ramirez pointed out that, along with the 12 proposed state amendments, Sarasota Coun- ty has one proposed charter amendment that will be on the Nov. 6 ballot. The City of Sarasota has seven proposed amendments. Page 25 "There shouldn't be four pages of amend- ments," Ramirez added. The other amendments Matthes addressed are as follows: • Amendment 2 "would expand the availabili- ty of the property discount on the homesteads of veterans who became disabled as the result of a combat injury to include those who were not Florida residents when they entered the military," according to the Florida Division of Elections. It would take effect Jan. 1, 2013. • Amendment 9 would "provide by general law ad valorem homestead property tax relief to the surviving spouse of a military veteran who died from service-connected causes while on active duty or to the surviving spouse of a first responder who died in the line of duty. The amendment authorizes the Legislature to totally exempt or partially exempt such sur- viving spouse's homestead property from ad valorem taxation. The amendment defines a first responder as a law enforcement officer, a correctional officer, a firefighter, an emer- gency medical technician, or a paramedic," according to the Division of Elections. It also would take effect on Jan. 1, 2013. • Amendment 11 would "authorize the Legis- lature … to allow counties and municipalities to grant an additional homestead tax exemp- tion equal to the assessed value of homestead property if the property has a just value less than $250,000 to an owner who has main- tained permanent residency on the property for not less than 25 years, who has attained age 65, and who has a low household income as defined by general law," according to the Division of Elections.