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Home My WebLink About01302004 1225 Main Street [] Sebastian, Florida 32958 Telephone (772) 589-5330 [] Fax (772) 589-5570 City Council Information Letter January 30, 2004 Prospect of Additional Homestead Income Seniors Exemption for Low In response to an inquiry recently offered publicly by Vice Mayor Ray Coniglio (as well as by a couple of you with me individually) relative to the possibility of the City of Sebastian offering an additional homestead exemption to Iow income senior citizen homeowners in the community, please find the attached memorandum as compiled and delivered per my direction by Director of Finance Shai Francis that outlines logistics governing the possibility of such. As most of you realize, the City of Sebastian has the ability to adopt an ordinance to allow an additional exemption of up to $25,000 for any person at least sixty-five (65) years of age with a household income that does not exceed $20,000 (as adjusted periodically for changes in cost of living) who has the legal or equitable title to a home for permanent residence. The Property Appraiser's Office employs an application process for interested households (age, income verification, etc.), as they can readily implement a similar procedure for eligible Sebastian residents. The first exercise relative to analyzing the feasibility of offering such a benefit in our community was to contact the Indian River County Property Appraiser's Office to ascertain the approximate number of eligible homeowners in Sebastian. In the 2003 tax year, Indian River County had 1,459 seniors eligible to participate, including 442 senior households residing within the Sebastian City Limits. Based on these estimates, impacts to our municipal tax revenue would total nearly $50,000 (via application of the currently millage rate of 4.5904). The most practical timeframe that the Sebastian City Council would be at liberty to establish an additional exemption would be in the next few months - perhaps just prior to this year's budget process. If such were directed, exemptions would take effect Fiscal Year 2005/2006. Staff therefore awaits direction accordingly. City Council Information Letter January 30, 2004 Page 2 Construction/Reopening of Runway 9-27 Please be advised that arrangements are being made to offer formal recommendations regarding the construction/reopening of Runway 9-27 at Sebastian Municipal Airport. Contractor services and expenditure details will be presented during your next meeting, February 11th, to include an update by Jason Milewski offering details relative to completion schedule, as well as special arrangements being made to assist tenants during the anticipated transition period. As the purchase of both Velocity and J&S Aviation sites have been successfully executed, we are clear to proceed with construction. A final long-term resolution involves Skydive Sebastian's plans for relocation. As referenced in the attached letter to company representative James lannaccone, arrangements are being made to inform Skydive Sebastian of our respective plans, as well as to assist their relocation to a site formally made available to them last year (see February 2002 letter and location map attached). Construction activities will not adversely impact Skydive Sebastian's current location. Administration is simply working to be responsive to their request to have a site immediately adjacent to the future parachute landing area. Louisiana Avenue Final Easement Dedications As last week's meeting with Louisiana Avenue property owners represented a very positive communications process relative to status of implementing improvements to the corridor, please be advised that arrangements are being made to host meetings with respective individuals to execute easement dedication documents. The City Hall Conference Room is therefore being reserved for all day Wednesday, February 11th to accommodate residents accordingly, whereby Mr. Steven Massey of Jordan and Associates will facilitate necessary documentation. My office 'will also negotiate a final purchase offer with the Sebastian United Methodist Church during this week, whereby respective financial transaction recommendations will be forwarded to City Council immediately after this exercise has been completed. Concerts in the Park Updated Schedule Please be advised that the Sebastian River Area Chamber of Commerce has made additions to this year's Concert in the Park schedule to include a City Council Information Letter January 30, 2004 Page 3 performance during this year's Pelican Island Wildlife Festival at Riverview Park during the weekend of March 12th. This event, to feature a concert by either the Sebastian River High School Jazz Ensemble or Bobby G and the Blisters is to take place sometime Saturday evening March 13th. A second revision to this year's line up involves an Easter Weekend Arlo Guthrie performance, scheduled to take place Saturday, April 10th during the latter afternoon, sometime after the City's annual youth Easter egg hunt in the park. Additional updates will be offered publicly regarding these arrangements as time progresses, including via a presentation to be made by representatives from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service during your next regular meeting. Enclosure(s): Memorandum from Shai Francis - Low Income Senior Exemption Program Letter to Shai Francis from Property Appraiser's Office - Low Income Senior Exemption Program Letter to James lannaccone, Skydive Sebastian - Construction/Reopening of Runway 9-27 Letter to James lannaccone, Skydive Sebastian (February 2002) - Offer of Future Lease Area My Documents/InfoLetter202 ISLAND To: Terrence R. Moore, City Manager From: Shai Francis, Director of Finance~~ Date: January 27, 2004 Subject: Low Income Senior Exemption In accordance with s. 6(f), Article VII of the State Constitution, the board of county commissioners of any county or the governing authority of any municipality may adopt an ordinance to allow an additional homestead exemption of up to $25,000 for any person who has the legal or equitable title to real estate and maintains thereon the permanent residence of the owner, who has attained age sixty-five, and whose household income does not exceed $20,000 as adjusted periodically for changes in the cost of living. Section 196.075, Florida Statutes (2000), authorizes the board of county commissioners of any county or the governing authority of any municipality to adopt an ordinance to allow an additional homestead exemption of up to $25,000 for any person who has the legal or equitable title to real estate and maintains thereon the permanent residence of the owner, who has attained age sixty-five, and whose household income does not exceed $20,000 as adjusted periodically for changes in the cost of living. Currently, Indian River County Board of County Commissioners, City of Vero Beach, and the Town of Indian River Shores in this County have adopted the required ordinance to allow the additional exemption. If the City Council decides to grant the additional exemption, an ordinance must be adopted before the end of 2004 for tax year 2005. Enclosed please see the letter from the Indian River County Property Appraiser's office, which states the financial impact to the City, would be $48,564 if the additional exemption were granted for tax year 2003. I estimate the financial impact to the City will be approximately $50,000 for tax year 2005 if the City's millage rate remains as 4.5904. If you have any questions concerning this memo, please give me a call at 8205. David C. Nolte, ASA INDIAN RIVER COUNTY PROPERTY APPRAISER WE ARE HERE TO SERVE YOU! 1840 25th Street ~ Veto Beach, FL 32960 City of Sebastian Ms. Shai Francis, Finance Director 1225 Main St Sebastian, FL 32958 Dear Ms. Francis, In the 2003 tax year, we have had 1,459 eligible Senior Citizens take advantage of the Low Income Senior Exemption. This includes 442 senior households within the limits of the city of Sebastian. City officials now have the task of deciding whether this exemption will affect their Municipal Tax Revenue. We have estimated the affect this would have on your tax revenue based on the number of eligible senior households in your city, the value of their exempt assessments, and your proposed 2003 millage rate. Senior Exempt Assessed Values x 2003 Proposed Municipality Millage = Senior Exempt Municipal Tax Revenue $10,579,500 x .0045904 = $48,564 This would equal an additional savings of $109.87 per senior household in SebaStian, if the Senior Exemption is passed by your city officials. We hope this information is helpful to you in planning for the 2004 tax year. If you have any questions, or require additional information, please call 567-8000 ext. 1662. Sincerely, Mandy P Maloney, CFE Assessment Control Specialist (772) 567-8000 ® Fax: (772) 770-5087 http://www.ircpa.or.q Q~0F HOME OF PELICAN ISLAND 1225 MAIN STREET · SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA 32958 TELEPHONE: (772) 589-5330 · FAX (772) 589-5570 January 28,2004 Mr. James lannaccone Skydive Sebastian of South Florida, Inc. 800 East Broward Boulevard, Suite 510 Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301 Re: Construction/Reopening of Runway 9-27 Dear Mr. lannaccone: The City of Sebastian is currently finalizing preparations for the rehabilitation of Runway 9-27 at Sebastian Municipal Airport. As you may recall from previous correspondence, reservations have been made for both a newly designated parachute landing area, as well as a parcel to house facilities for Skydive Sebastian, if so desired. Airport Director Jason Milewski and myself are therefore available to meet with you and/or other representatives from your business to address applicable logistics accordingly, including respective timeframes governing such potential relocation activities. Please contact either of us within the next fifteen (15) days so that we can schedule a meeting in an effort to amicably move forward in this regard. The City of Sebastian looks forward to a favorable outcome pertaining to this matter. I can therefore be reached by calling (772) 388-8203. Thank you in advance for your cooperation. City Manager TRM/ Cc: Jason Milewski, Airport Director Honorable Mayor and City Council (Via January 30, 2004 Information Letter) My Documents/SkydiveSebastian12 "An Equal Opportunity Employer" Celebrating Our 75th Anniversary February 28, 2002 ¢Jff OF HOME OF PELIC. AN ISLAND 1225 MAIN STREET · SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA 32958 TELEPHONE: (561) 589-5330 · FAX (561) 589-5570 MF. James lannaccone Skydive Sebastian of South Florida, Inc. 800 East Broward Boulevard, Suite 510 Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301 Re: Adjustment to Redesiqnated ParaChute Landinq Area Dear Mr. lannaooone: As the City Council recently adopted the newly revised Sebastian Municipal Airport Master Plan, as well as formally offered you the opportunity to work with city administration to adjust to respective realities outlined in the plan, I wish to address vadous opportunities available to assist Skydive Sebastian of South Florida, Inc. with the transition to the future designated parachute landing area. A primary concern presented by you and your representatives involved the necessity for the parachute landing area to be adjacent to your facility. You will be pleased to know that property is available adjoining the redesignated area, large enough to accommodate your existing facilities. The City of Sebastian therefore has the ability to reserve this property for Skydive Sebastian, should there exist interest to relocate any necessary structures at your expense. In addition, my office is willing to work with your organization to formalize a modified lease agreement to this effect. As such, you may feel free to contact my office at your convenience by calling (772) 388-8203 to further dialogue accordingly, as I am also available to host personal meetings as necessary. Terren~oore Ci~ Manager TRM/ Cc: Honorable Mayor and City Council ~ia March 1st Information Letter) h Stringer, City Attorney on Milewski, AirpoA Manager My Documents/SkydiveSebastianl0 "An Equal Opportunity Employer" Celebrating Our 75th Anniversary