Legislative Matter

Miami-Dade Legislative Item
File Number: 110051

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Clerk's Official Copy

File Number: 110051

File Type: Resolution

Status: Adopted

Version: 0

Reference: R-162-11

Control: County Commission

File Name: PUBLIC INFORMATION CAMPAIGN ABOUT THE TRIM NOTICE

Introduced: 1/5/2011

Requester: NONE

Cost:

Final Action: 3/1/2011

Agenda Date: 3/1/2011

Agenda Item Number: 11A1

Notes:

Title:

RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE MAYOR OR DESIGNEE TO ASSIST THE PROPERTY APPRAISER IN DEVELOPING A PUBLIC INFORMATION CAMPAIGN TO BETTER INFORM COUNTY RESIDENTS ABOUT THE TRIM NOTICE

Indexes:

TRIM NOTICE

Sponsors:	Bruno A. Barreiro, Prime Sponsor
	Jose "Pepe" Diaz, Co-Sponsor
	Audrey M. Edmonson, Co-Sponsor
	Carlos A. Gimenez, Co-Sponsor
	Sally A. Heyman, Co-Sponsor
	Rebeca Sosa, Co-Sponsor

Sunset Provision: No

Effective Date:

Expiration Date:

Registered Lobbyist:

None Listed

Legislative History
Acting Body	Date	Agenda Item	Action	Sent To	Due Date	Returned	Pass/Fail

Board of County Commissioners	3/1/2011	11A1	Adopted				P
REPORT:	Chairman Martinez directed the Mayor or designee to assist the Property Appraiser in developing a public information campaign to better inform County residents about the TRIM Notice.

Internal Mgmt. & Fiscal Responsibility Committee	2/8/2011	2A	Forwarded to BCC with a favorable recommendation				P
REPORT:	Assistant County Attorney Jess McCarty read the foregoing proposed resolution into the record. Commissioners Edmonson asked to be added as a co-sponsor to the foregoing resolution. Assistant County Attorney McCarty responded to Commissioner Seijas’ comment that commissioners could not give direction to the Property Appraiser because he was an elected official, and her inquiry regarding whether the resolution should be changed to urge the Property Appraiser to develop a public information campaign, instead of directing him to do so. He noted it would be the Property Appraiser’s prerogative to accept assistance from the Mayor or the Mayor’s designee. Following Commissioner Seijas’ comment that this resolution would present an embarrassing situation for her if she was the Property Appraiser, Mr. Lazaro Solis, Deputy Property Appraiser, appeared before the Committee. He noted the Property Appraiser met with Commissioner Barreiro in response to the Commissioner’s inquiry regarding what assistance the Property Appraiser could provide in clarifying the Truth in Millage (TRIM) notice for the public. In response to Commissioner Seijas’ inquiry regarding whether he was accepting the foregoing resolution on behalf of the Property Appraiser, Mr. Solis noted that was correct. Hearing no further questions or comments, the Committee proceeded to vote on this proposed resolution as presented. In response to Commissioner Gimenez’ inquiry regarding whether a best estimate of property values could be provided before June 1st, Mr. Solis noted the primary dilemma with providing an accurate number now was that values derived from exemption applications and personal property tax returns had a bearing on the taxable values; yet, those applications were not due until March 1st and April 1st, respectively. He indicated the Property Appraiser intended to submit preliminary numbers to the Commissioners early, as soon as he got a clearer picture of the market. Commissioner Gimenez noted he understood the Property Appraiser might be concerned that an inaccurate estimate would reflect badly on him; but, he understood that it would be just an estimate. He added that the sooner the estimate could be provided, the better position the Commission would be in. He asked the Property Appraiser to provide members of the County Commission with his best estimate of the property values for the coming year, before June 1, 2011.

County Attorney	1/10/2011		Assigned	Jess M. McCarty		1/14/2011

County Attorney	1/10/2011		Referred	Internal Mgmt. & Fiscal Responsibility Committee	2/8/2011

Legislative Text

TITLE
RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE MAYOR OR DESIGNEE TO ASSIST THE PROPERTY APPRAISER IN DEVELOPING A PUBLIC INFORMATION CAMPAIGN TO BETTER INFORM COUNTY RESIDENTS ABOUT THE TRIM NOTICE

BODY

WHEREAS, Florida law requires county property appraisers annually to produce and mail to all property owners within the county a notice of proposed property taxes, also known as the Truth in Millage or TRIM notice; and
WHEREAS, the TRIM notice is a combined notice that, while sent out by the county property appraiser, includes information for all taxing authorities within the county, including the Miami-Dade Public Schools, municipalities, the South Florida Water Management District, the Children�s Trust and the Florida Inland Navigation District; and
WHEREAS, Florida law sets forth in great detail what information must be included on the TRIM notice, and provides that the Florida Department of Revenue (FDOR) must approve the form of the TRIM notice that each county property appraiser uses; and
WHEREAS, property owners often find the TRIM notice to be complex and confusing; and
WHEREAS, some property owners mistakenly conclude that because the county property appraiser sends out the TRIM notice, the Board of County Commissioners is responsible for all of the property taxes included on the TRIM notice; and
WHEREAS, the school district frequently makes up the largest share of property taxes listed on the TRIM notice, and the applicable municipality typically makes up a substantial part of the proposed property taxes listed on the TRIM notice; and
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners has no role in setting the millage rates of either the school district or municipalities, which are set by the Florida Legislature and the local school board in the case of school districts, and the city commission in the case of a municipality; and
WHEREAS, a public information campaign could be useful in helping in educating County residents about the TRIM notice; and
WHEREAS, such a public information campaign might include, but not be limited to programming on Miami-Dade TV, newspaper advertisements, community meetings, enhanced internet information for each parcel explaining the TRIM notice and the different proposed taxes and taxing authorities,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board directs the Mayor or designee to assist the property appraiser in developing a public information campaign to better inform county residents about the TRIM notice and the different proposed taxes and taxing authorities that might include, but not be limited to programming on Miami-Dade TV, newspaper advertisements, community meetings, and enhanced internet information for each parcel.