2012-28043 ResoRESOLUTION NO. 2012-28043
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA CONCERNING AMENDMENT 4 TO THE
FLORIDA CONSTITUTION, WHICH, IF ADOPTED, WOULD GRANT
TAX BREAKS TO CERTAIN TAXPAYERS, DIRECTING THE CITY
ADMINISTRATION TO EVAULATE THE IMPACT AMENDMENT 4
WOULD HAVE ON THE CITY'S PROPERTY TAXES, URGING
VOTERS TO CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE CONSEQUENCES OF
AMENDMENT 4 BEFORE VOTING IN THE NOVEMBER 2012
GENERAL ELECTION, AND DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO
PROVIDE A COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE FLORIDA
LEAGUE OF CITIES, INC.
WHEREAS, a proposed constitutional amendment sponsored by the Florida Legislature
will be placed on the 2012 general election ballot as "Amendment 4"; and
WHEREAS, Amendment 4 creates distinctions between homestead and non -homestead
properties by allowing identical properties to be taxed differently, and Amendment 4 extends the
sunset provision already in the Florida Constitution from 2019 to 2023, which would allow these
differences to be in place longer; and
WHEREAS, there are estimates of the total tax impact of Amendment 4 of $1.6 billion
cumulatively over a four-year period beginning in 2013-2014, with approximately $447 million
borne by cities many of which are experiencing financial difficulties; and
WHEREAS, this proposed constitutional change would reduce the current assessment
limitation on non -homestead real property from 10 percent to 5 percent; and
WHEREAS, the proposed amendment grants first-time homesteaders an additional
homestead exemption equal to 50 percent of the just value of the property up to the county
median home value; and
WHEREAS, the proposed amendment creates a provision that allows the Legislature by
general law to prohibit increases in the assessed value of homestead property if the just value
of the property decreases; and
WHEREAS, the non -homestead assessment cap reduction and the first-time
homesteader provision apply to city and county taxes and not to school property taxes.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. That the City of Miami Beach will evaluate the impact Amendment 4 will have
on its property taxes,
Section 2. That the City of Miami Beach urges its residents to carefully consider the
consequences of Amendment 4 before voting in the November 2012 General Election.
Section 3. That a copy of this Resolution be provided to the Florida League of Cities, Inc.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 21/ day of October, 2012.
ATTEST:
Rafael Granado
City Clerk
Jorge R. Exposito
Vice -Mayor
APPROVED AS TO
FORM & LANGUAGE
& FOR EXECUTION
F: \ATTO \SMIEresolutions \AMENDMENT 4 RESOLUTION,docx