By Terry Witt- Spotlight Senior Reporter
Property Appraiser Candidate James Allen said his 20 years of experience working inside the office of property appraiser’s office, as well as one year of working outside the office, makes him the most qualified candidate in the race.
“I know how the office runs on the inside. I’ve been on the outside too, measuring houses. Most of my time has been spent in the office running the day-to-day activities in the office,” he said. “From the assessments, just everyday activities at the office, I’m real familiar with all that.”
Responding to questions at the Levy County Republican Executive Committee Candidates’ forum Friday in Cedar Key, Allen was asked by Parks Wilson, one of the questioners, what percentage of residential properties in Levy County are completely exempt.
“Ooh, that’s a good question,” Allen said.
“Just a guess,” responded Wilson.
“Totally exempt, I would say maybe 5 percent. Maybe a little bit more. Your businesses, the non-profits, you got those in there. You got disabled veterans, non-profits.”
“What about residential?” Wilson said.
“Residential, probably 3 to 5 percent,” Allen said.
Stoney Smith, the other questioner, asked Allen to tell him the size of the property appraiser’s budget. He wanted the dollar amount. Smith said County Commissioner Lilly Rooks told him the property appraiser’s office is getting a little more money this year.
“Why are you all spending more money?” Smith said.
“Well, we brought new trucks this year. That’s the reason why they increased the budget this year is they purchased two new trucks for the Levy County Property Appraiser’s office. That’s the only thing I know they have actually done,” Allen responded.
Wilson asked Allen how accessible he would be if elected property appraiser.
“I will be accessible. I’ve got my personal cell number on my handouts. You can call me anytime. I’ll be there. My door’s always open on the weekends, whenever. I’m always going to be there for you because that’s what I’m here for is to serve the people of Levy County. That’s what I started doing and that’s what I love doing – being accessible to all our citizens in Levy County.”
Allen was asked how many property tax exemptions are available to Levy County residents.
“There’s the Homestead Exemption, there’s disability, there’s senior,” said Allen.
Smith asked him if there might be 20 to 25 different property tax exemptions.
“There’s probably about 8 or 10,” Allen said.
Smith followed up with another exemption-related question. If he was elected property appraiser and people asked him how he felt about the tax exemptions and how they affect the tax base of the rest of the county, what would he say.
“Well, anytime they have more exemptions, someone will pick up the ticket for them,” Allen said. He added that they are offering exemptions for teachers, firefighters, and first responders as well.
“That’s going to fall back on the people that’s already totin’ the load on the taxes … anytime it’s going to come back to the people that got the high assessments and are actually paying the taxes,” Allen said.
“Did I hear you say you’re not supporting all these feel-good exemptions?” Smith said.
“No sir, I’m not for all these exemptions because it puts a strain on the county. We’re already fiscally constrained and we’re getting all the other exemptions added on to us.
Wilson asked if these exemptions are state mandated. Does the county have a choice?
“Some of the exemptions we do have a local choice,” Allen said. “Our county commission can vote on whether to accept or not accept them, like the senior exemption. That was voted on by the county that we could accept it or not accept it. There’s an exemption for people who have lived here for 25 years. It’s another exemption for seniors. The county did not vote on that so it is not being implemented in this county,” Allen said.
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Enterprise Reporting by Terry Witt July 22, 2022; Posted July 24, 2022
