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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLegislationcry City o 1g Miami City Hall 3500 Pan American ` Drive Legislation Miami, FL 33133 www.miamigov,com Resolution File Number: 16-00697 Final Action Date: A RESOLUTION OF THE MIAMI CITY COMMISSION IN SUPPORT OF HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 275, WHICH PLACES ON THE NOVEMBER 8, 2016, STATEWIDE GENERAL ELECTION BALLOT, A PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO SECTION 6 OF ARTICLE VII AND THE CREATION Of A NEW SECTION IN ARTICLE XII OF THE STATE CONSTITUTION TO REVISE THE HOMESTEAD TAX EXEMPTION THAT MAY BE GRANTED BY COUNTIES OR MUNICIPALITIES, IF AUTHORIZED BY GENERAL LAW, FOR THE ASSESSED VALUE OF PROPERTY WITH A JUST VALUE LESS THAN $250,000.00 AND OWNED BY PERSONS SIXTY-FIVE (65) OR OLDER WHO MEET CERTAIN RESIDENCE AND INCOME REQUIREMENTS TO SPECIFY THAT JUST VALUE SHALL BE DETERMINED IN THE FIRST TAX YEAR THAT THE OWNER APPLIES AND IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE EXEMPTION; DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT A COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO GOVERNOR RICK SCOTT, SENATE PRESIDENT ANDY GARDINER, HOUSE SPEAKER STEVE CRISAFULLI AND JOINT RESOLUTION SPONSORS SENATOR ANITERE FLORES AND REPRESENTATIVE BRYAN AVILA, AS STATED HEREIN. WHEREAS, Article VII, Section 6(d), of the Florida Constitution provides that counties and municipalities may, subject to the provisions set forth in Section 196.075(2)(b) of the Florida Statutes, adopt an ordinance to allow for the grant of an additional homestead exemption equal to the assessed value of the property to a person who has legal or equitable title to real estate in Florida with a just value of less than $250,000.00, has maintained their permanent residence on the property for the last twenty-five (25) years, is sixty-five (65) years of age or older, and whose household income does not exceed a household income limitation; and WHEREAS, the City of Miami ("City") adopted Ordinance No. 13361. on February 28, 2013, which codified in Chapter 56, Article IV of the Code of the City of Miami, Florida, as amended ("City Code"), the grant of the additional homestead exemption; and WHEREAS, the constitutional and statutory provisions, as currently written, provide that an owner will no longer qualify for the additional homestead exemption if the property's just value rises above $250,000.00, which usually occurs because of changes in market conditions or because of additions or improvements made to the property; and WHEREAS, the loss of the additional homestead exemption likely results in a severe hardship for many low-income seniors not only within the City, but throughout the State, who are reliant upon the money saved as a result of the exemption for everyday necessities; and WHEREAS, House Joint Resolution 275 was filed in the Florida House of Representatives during the 2016 Legislative Session by Representative Bryan Avila (R -Hialeah), with its Companion Bili, Senate Joint Resolution 492, filed in the Florida Senate by Senator Anitere Flores (R -Miami); and WHEREAS, the Joint Resolutions proposed an amendment to the Florida Constitution to limit City of Miami Page 1 of 3 File 1& 16-00697 (Version: 1) Printed On.: 511712016 File Number. 16-00697 the just value determination, for purposes of the additional homestead exemption, to the value as determined in the first tax year that the owner applies for and is eligible for the exemption, thereby allowing low-income seniors to maintain the additional homestead exemption in the face of rapidly appreciating and/or volatile real estate markets; and WHEREAS, House Joint Resolution 275 passed in the Florida House of Representatives on February 11, 2016, and subsequently passed the Florida Senate on May 9, 2016, and as such, the following statement shall be placed on the November 8, 2016, statewide General Election ballot for the approval or rejection by the electors of the State of Florida: CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ARTICLE VII, SECTION 6 ARTICLE XII HOMESTEAD TAX EXEMPTION FOR CERTAIN SENIOR, LOW-INCOME, LONG-TERM RESIDENTS; DETERMINATION OF JUST VALUE. - Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to revise the homestead tax exemption that may be granted by counties or municipalities for property with just value less than $250,000 owned by certain senior, low-income, long-term residents to specify that just value is determined in the first tax year the owner applies and is eligible for the exemption. The amendment takes effect January 1, 2017, and applies retroactively to exemptions granted before January 1, 2017. ; and WHEREAS, following the statewide General Election ballot and, if approved by the electors of the State of Florida, Commissioner Francis Suarez intends to propose an ordinance to codify in the Code the aforementioned amendment; 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 an incorporated as if fully set forth in this Section. Section 2. The Miami City Commission ("Commission") urges voters to endorse, support and vote affirmatively to approve the proposed amendment to the Florida Constitution, which will be placed on the November 8, 2016, statewide General Election ballot, that would limit the just value determination, for purposes of the additional homestead exemption, to the value as determined in the first tax year that the owner applies for and is eligible for the exemption. Section 3. Legislation shall be brought before the Commission to amend the City Code in order to implement the proposed constitutional changes should the changes be approved by the electors of the State of Florida. Section 3. The City Clerk is directed to transmit a copy of this Resolution to Governor Rick Scott, Senate President Andy Gardiner, House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, and Joint Resolution sponsors Senator Anitere Flores and Representative Bryan Avila, with the City's authorization that this Resolution may be utilized in any and all efforts, public and private, to secure approval of the proposed City of Miand Page 2 of 3 File Id: 16-00697 (Version: 1) Printed On: 511712016 File Number: 16-00697 amendment to the Florida Constitution on the November 8, 2016, statewide General Election ballot. Section 4. This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption and signature of the Mayor. {1 } APP OVED AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS: Vf CTORIA 7—Ti 2 CITY ATTORNEY Footnotes: {1) If the Mayor does not sign this Resolution, it shall become effective at the end of ten (10) calendar days from the date it was passed and adopted. If the Mayor vetoes this Resolution, it shall become effective immediately upon override of the veto by the City Commission, Cite of Munni Page 3 of 3 File Id: 16-00697 (ilersion: 1) Printed Orr: 511712016