MySuncoast reports from Venice, Fla. a magistrate in Sarasota County determined property taxes on some of the 19,000 manufactured homes in the county were improperly increased between 22 percent and 90 percent because the property appraiser’s office did not abide by Florida statutes. Although the companies that own the communities pay the taxes, the home owners ultimately pay their share. A resident of 1,300-site Bay Indies MHC, Mike Rafferty, noticed his property value increased 22 percent in an area with flat or falling property values. As MHProNews has been informed, on March 19 the Value Adjustment Board approved the decrease of over $16 million for just two of the county’s 60 MHCs. Rafferty says he and his neighbors will likely see a $75 rebate each this year, and similar amounts in years to come. “Commercial parks are going to see relief, and that relief is going to be absorbed by some of the other taxpayers in the county,” he noted.
