Tobia to push proposal to block property tax increase in next year's budget

With budget discussions about to begin for the 2019-20 fiscal year, Brevard County Commissioner John Tobia has fired off the first volley against any potential property tax increase.

Tobia plans to introduce two resolutions at Thursday's County Commission budget workshop opposing property tax increases for the budget year that begins Oct. 1.

The potential impact of Tobia's resolutions is unclear, since it will be more than four months before Brevard County Manager Frank Abbate releases his budget proposal for 2019-20.

But, if county commissioners approve Tobia's resolution, it could limit county spending increases on everything from road repairs to Space Coast Area Transit bus service.

And Tobia will put other county commissioners on record as to their views on property tax increases.

• One of Tobia's resolutions would declare the County Commission as opposed to adopting a budget that would require a tax increase, as defined by Florida Statute.

"It would not be fiscally responsible to raise taxes at a time when residents are experiencing economic challenges in their daily lives." Tobia said in his resolution. "As a fiscally responsible governing body, it is prudent to declare its intentions to not raise taxes prior to the drafting of the budget."

• The other resolution would say that the County Commission is opposed declaring a "finding of critical need" that would require increased revenue — except if there is "a state or federally declared emergency."

Under a provision of the county charter that voters approved in a 2008 referendum, the County Commission cannot raise the property tax rate to a level that would cause budgeted revenue to increase by the lesser of 3 percent or increase in the Consumer Price Index, unless such a critical or emergency need is declared.

In the resolution, Tobia indicates that the County Commission "intends to adhere to the will of the voters, and not interpret 'critical need' in such a manner as to create a virtually limitless loophole."

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Tobia said he plans to introduce the resolutions at the start of Thursday's workshop.

During the workshop, county commisioners also will hear a presentation from budget officials, as well from county department heads on roadway improvements, facility infrastructure, sanitary sewer systems, drainage and flood modeling, transit services and human resources.

They also will hear presentations from the county's five charter officers — the clerk of courts, property appraiser, sheriff, supervisor of elections and tax collector.

In commenting on his anti-tax-increase resolutions, Tobia made pointed comments directed at the other four members of the all-Republican County Commission.

"At a time when some members of the board determined we have enough money to fund dance studios and dinosaur museums, I’m sure my fellow commissioners would agree that it is not necessary to raise taxes or bust the voter-mandated spending cap," Tobia said. "If not, I suggest they stop calling themselves Republicans, and join Nancy Pelosi’s tax-and-spend Democrat Party."

Tobia was alluding to two of the Brevard County community cultural grants for the 2018-19 budget year that county commisioners approved last week, by a 4-1 vote, with Tobia voting no. The grants are funded by a combination of revenue from the county's 5 percent Tourist Development Tax on hotel rooms and other short-term rentals, and from the county's general fund — money generated by property taxes.

Abbate and his staff have begun the process of preparing a proposed 2019-20 budget for county commissioners to consider. The county manager typically releases the budget plan in July.

County commissioners hold two budget hearings in September before approving a budget for the coming fiscal year.

Thursday's budget workshop begins at 1 p.m. in the Florida Room of the Brevard County Government Center, Building C, 2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Viera.

Berman is government editor at FLORIDA TODAY.

Contact Berman at 321-242-3649

or dberman@floridatoday.com.

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