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Historic preservation tax credits approved
By HARLAN WEIKLE
Article published on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2007 |
BELLEAIR – Calling it a leadership stance, Commissioner Stephanie Oddo commended the Town Commission Tuesday for unanimously passing the ad valorem tax exemption for historic properties.
The exemption, which functions like the Homestead Exemption, applies to the increase in local and county property taxes resulting from an approved historic rehabilitation project and applies to residential properties only; the value is generally granted for 50 percent of the estimated increase in property value, Oddo said.
The move, just the third of its kind in Pinellas County following St. Petersburg and the county itself, renders tax relief to homeowners who apply for the exemption based on very specific criteria, notably the property must be listed in either the national or local register of historic structures and the rehabilitation must be approved in advance.
The exemption, which sunsets after 10 years, is restrained by other criteria and homeowners must work closely with both local officials and the county property appraiser’s office in order to take advantage of the tax relief initiative.
In a related move, the commission unanimously passed an ordinance changing Belleair’s development permit fees. The new fee structure sets the rate at 2 percent rather than 1 percent on the first $1 million. Then for each $1,000 of value above $1 million, the town will collect $3.30. The new fee structure brings Belleair into line with surrounding communities, which typically have charged higher fees.
The length of term appointments are also increasing for elected officials. The commission voted to increase the term of office for the mayor and town commissioners from two to three years. This is partly an effort to decrease the number of elections by roughly a third, which the commission hopes will reduce administrative costs to the electorate. The County Clerk’s office charges each municipality for the cost of an election including advertising, personnel and equipment, calculating results and reporting those results.
The amended qualifying period for candidates wishing to have their name appear on a ballot is set as the interval beginning 100 days and ending at 4 p.m. 84 days prior to a scheduled election, excluding the day of the election.
Finally, since Christmas falls on Tuesday this year, Belleair Town Hall will also be closed Monday, Dec. 24, to extend the holiday for municipal employees and their families.
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Article published on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2007
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