HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-15-0057City of Miami
Legislation
Resolution: R-15-0057
City Hall
3500 Pan American
Drive
Miami, FL 33133
www.miamigov.com
File Number: 15-00144a Final Action Date: 2/12/2015
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION URGING THE FLORIDA
LEGISLATURE TO PASS A JOINT RESOLUTION THAT WOULD PLACE A
PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE FLORIDA CONSTITUTION ON A STATEWIDE
BALLOT THAT WOULD PERMIT SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO ADOPT LEGISLATION
TO ALLOW FOR ADDITIONAL HOMESTEAD EXEMPTIONS ONLY IF THE STATE
OF FLORIDA REPLACES ANY LOST REVENUE TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS
RESULTING FROM THE SAME; MAKING THIS A STATE LEGISLATIVE PRIORITY
FOR THE CITY OF MIAMI DURING THE 2015 LEGISLATIVE SESSION; FURTHER
DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT A COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO
THE DESIGNATED OFFICIALS STATED HEREIN.
WHEREAS, in accordance with Article VII, s. 6(d), Florida Constitution, and Florida Statute s.
196.075, the board of county commissioners of any county or the governing authority of any
municipality may adopt an ordinance to allow two additional homestead exemptions for persons 65
years of age or older; and
WHEREAS, the first is an exemption not exceeding $50,000 to any person who has legal or
equitable title to real estate in Florida, maintains their permanent residence on the property, is 65
years of age or older, and whose household income does not exceed the household income
limitation; and
WHEREAS, the second is an exemption equal to the assessed value of the property to an
owner who has legal or equitable title to real estate in Florida with a just value of less than $250,000,
has maintained their permanent residence on the property for the last 25 years, is 65 years of age or
older, and whose household income does not exceed the household income limitation; and
WHEREAS, the City of Miami ("City") has adopted ordinances that allow for the additional
homestead exemptions; and
WHEREAS, these exemptions only apply to the tax millage a county or city levies when it
adopts a local ordinance, and do not apply to the millage of school districts; and
WHEREAS, a majority of the tax contribution made by low income seniors, who have applied
for and received the benefit of the additional homestead exemptions, goes to the school district; and
WHEREAS, these seniors are being unduly burdened with supporting a school system that
provides no direct benefit to them; and
WHEREAS, the State of Florida ("State") is looking to cut taxes in part as a result of a nearly
$1 billion budget surplus; and
WHEREAS, the State's projected $1 billion budget surplus can assist the most vulnerable in
our community, our low income seniors; and
WHEREAS, the State should look at this select group of seniors to include within any tax cuts
by allowing school districts to similarly adopt legislation to allow for the additional homestead
City of Miami
Page 1 of 2 File Id: 15-00144a (Version: 1) Printed On: 1/31/2018
File Number: 15-00144a Enactment Number: R-15-0057
exemptions; and
WHEREAS, the State should replace any lost revenue resulting from school districts that
choose to adopt legislation to allow for the additional homestead exemptions so that all school
districts remain fully funded while allowing relief to our seniors; and
WHEREAS, allowing school districts to adopt legislation to allow for the additional homestead
exemptions requires an amendment to the Florida Constitution, which may commence with the
passage of a Joint Resolution by the Florida Legislature so that the proposed amendment may
appear on a statewide ballot for voter approval or rejection;
WHEREAS, the State should only allow for the joint resolution that would place a proposed
amendment to the Florida Constitution on a statewide ballot only if they fully fund the shortfall to the
school districts;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI,
FLORIDA:
Section 1. The recitals and findings contained in the Preamble to this Resolution are adopted
by reference and incorporated as fully set forth in this Section.
Section 2. The City Commission urges the Florida Legislature to pass a joint resolution that
would place a proposed amendment to the Florida Constitution on a statewide ballot that would
permit school districts to adopt legislation to allow for additional homestead exemptions only if the
State of Florida replaces any lost revenue to the school districts resulting from the same; making this
a state legislative priority for the City of Miami during the 2015 legislative session.
Section 3. This Resolution shall be included in the City's state legislative priorities for the
2015 Legislative Session.
Section 4. The City Clerk is directed to transmit a copy of this Resolution to Governor Rick
Scott and members of the Florida Legislature.
Section 5. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption and
signature of the Mayor. {1}
City of Miami Page 2 of 2 File Id: 15-00144a (Version: 1) Printed On: 1/31/2018