Politics in Fort Lauderdale (Miami: sales, assessors, credit)

[night0wl]

Hey Everyone,

Does anyone out there know of a good blog or web resource telling about the goings on in Fort Lauderdale politics? I'd like to do my part to keep up to speed on what the beauracracy is spending our tax money on. In previous parts of the world I've lived, there's been an active "Concerned Citizens" association that questioned every expenditure, poked and prodded local officials to thread the straight and narrow and exposed corruption and cronyism as soon as it was seen. Does something like that exist for Fort Lauderdale or Miami? God knows that the area is ripe for it.


night0wl

[eufo]

I'd be interested in this, as well. Maybe something regarding the entirety of South Florida.

[jhlcomp]

Take a look at:

Broward Politics | Sun-Sentinel Blogs | Hutchinson to run for Fort Lauderdale mayor

The Daily Pol » Fort Lauderdale’s Jim Naugle re-elected to mayor (Sun-Sentinel) (broken link)

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Fort Lauderdale and Broward County News (http://www.inform.com/keywords/Fort+Lauderdale,Broward+County - broken link)

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and scroll down to Government

I don't know any blogs first hand, but perhaps these might be helpful. :-)

[night0wl]

Thanks - these are great. Not exactly what I was looking for, but a good launching pad. Frankly, I want to know how to call Bull on some of the capital expenditure the county and city are chalking up. Assessments of home value are up 33% in my neighborhood in 2 years...while home's arent selling. I'm assessed $100k over what I paid for the house in September! Its unreal...and an empowered public can control this rampant spending.

[Wild Style]

if there isnt one, you guys could always make one! I would be interested in something like this too.

[jhlcomp]

Aside from what you are seeking, you do have another option and that is filing a complaint with the property assessors office to have your taxes revisited. Go to Broward County Property Appraiser's Network - Iam guessing each county has the same procedure. Good luck.

[night0wl]

Originally Posted by jhlcomp

Aside from what you are seeking, you do have another option and that is filing a complaint with the property assessors office to have your taxes revisited. Go to Broward County Property Appraiser's Network - Iam guessing each county has the same procedure. Good luck.

Here's the rub. I closed 9/20, and at closing, I had to pay prorated taxes for the end of 2007. I'm now realizing that the prior owner never disputed a 37% RAISE in the market value assessment for his home prior year...after all, why should it, it would have been leverage for getting a higher sales price. Any case, the appraiser wont budge and I've scheduled a hearing with the Value Adjustment Board. Even though I paid $3000 in prorated taxes, I'm very displeased at the precedent this would set for my 2007/2008 market value...so I'm fighting tooth and nail to get it reassessed. Now the question is this, if I'm successful...and they lower my assessed value in 2007...who gets the refund on the taxes surplus that is being held in escrow for the closing agent to pay...me or the previous owner?

[mbmouse]

Originally Posted by night0wl

Here's the rub. I closed 9/20, and at closing, I had to pay prorated taxes for the end of 2007. I'm now realizing that the prior owner never disputed a 37% RAISE in the market value assessment for his home prior year...after all, why should it, it would have been leverage for getting a higher sales price. Any case, the appraiser wont budge and I've scheduled a hearing with the Value Adjustment Board. Even though I paid $3000 in prorated taxes, I'm very displeased at the precedent this would set for my 2007/2008 market value...so I'm fighting tooth and nail to get it reassessed. Now the question is this, if I'm successful...and they lower my assessed value in 2007...who gets the refund on the taxes surplus that is being held in escrow for the closing agent to pay...me or the previous owner?

Both. The amount refunded would be divided by 365 (days in the year) then prior owner would get amount of days due to him from 1/1/07 to 9/20/07 and you would get from 9/21/07 to 12/31/07. But are sure the amount is being held? I am not sure about FL but usually you get a credit from the prior owners for taxes from 1/1 until closing day and then when the tax bill comes, you pay it.

[night0wl]

Originally Posted by mbmouse

Both. The amount refunded would be divided by 365 (days in the year) then prior owner would get amount of days due to him from 1/1/07 to 9/20/07 and you would get from 9/21/07 to 12/31/07. But are sure the amount is being held? I am not sure about FL but usually you get a credit from the prior owners for taxes from 1/1 until closing day and then when the tax bill comes, you pay it.

Definitely sure. My closing agent actually did the reverse! What they did was hold $9000 or so from settling funds in a account, and had me give a $3000 credit to the seller. Now, they've mailed in the full amount to the tax collector...but I'm fighting for the credit.