Local Poll Shows Strong Support For Property Tax Rollback in Tallahassee
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Local groups concerned about city leaders’ decision on spending the money of hard-working Tallahassee residents released a poll showing city taxpayers want a property tax cut.
“Tallahassee is a great city but to continue growing and providing opportunities for everyone to pursue their dreams, there must be a balance between what the government wants and how much people can afford to pay,” said Dominic M. Calabro, President and CEO of Florida TaxWatch. “Florida TaxWatch is proud to be the representative of taxpayers in Tallahassee and statewide.”
“Few city leaders are allowing the words ‘cut taxes’ or ‘cut spending’ to pass their lips. City officials themselves have found sufficient funding to provide for our infrastructure needs and reduce the property tax rate to the previous level,” said Barney Bishop, President of the Network of Entrepreneurs and Business Advocates. “This poll is evidence that Tallahassee residents demand relief and demand to be heard.”
The poll, conducted on July 7 and 8, showed that:
- 57 percent of poll respondents support splitting $5 million in identified surplus between providing property tax relief and infrastructure spending.
- 61 percent prefer a reduction in property taxes rather than a reduction in business license fees.
- Only 14 percent believe the City Commission will reduce taxes while 72 percent believe the commission will maintain the current rate that is above previous levels.
- 67 percent of respondents believe city employees deserve a 2 percent pay raise.
- But 65 percent oppose a pay increase for senior management and 75 percent oppose making such an increase retroactive as the city has proposed.
Groups involved in the poll include Florida TaxWatch, the Network of Entrepreneurs and Business Advocates, the Budget Hawks and Citizens for Responsible Spending.
The poll results can be viewed on Florida TaxWatch's website and on the Network of Entrepreneurs and Business Advocates' website.