“Ask Lori…Parrish on Appraisal”

“Ask Lori…Parrish on Appraisal”

Broward County Property Appraiser Lori Parrish Answers Your Questions…

“Good News Taxable Value Increases 7.24% for Broward!”

Dear Lori:

I read in the Sun-Sentinel your office just released a better than expected taxable value increase? What does this mean for Broward County residents?

              J.F., Wilton Manors, FL (via email)

On June 24, 2014, our office released the July 2014 Taxable Value Report.  This is the third consecutive year property tax values have risen in Broward after four years of declines during the historic real estate collapse. These numbers resulted in a total countywide taxable value increase of 7.24%, and a total taxable value of $141 billion.  The 7.24% increase does not apply to every municipality within the county (please keep in mind the 7.24% increase represents the sum total of all taxable value in Broward County).  Some areas, such as Coconut Creek, Hallandale Beach, Hollywood, Lazy Lakes, North Lauderdale, Tamarac, and Wilton Manors, saw a taxable value increase greater than 7.24%, while Lauderdale Lakes, Pembroke Park, Dania Beach, and Sea Ranch Lakes saw an increase of less than 7.24%.  To see a breakdown by taxing authority (County, Municipal, District, etc.), go to our website, www.bcpa.net, click on “Site Index” on the left side of the homepage, then click “2014 Tax Roll Information,” and finally “2014 July 1^st Taxable Value Report.”

The numbers released on June 24^th are the final numbers which will be submitted to the Florida Department of Revenue for certification. We endeavor to produce the most accurate tax roll possible through the use of random audits and appraisal reviews.

You can review your property’s 2014 market and assessed values on our webpage at www.bcpa.net.  In August, all Broward property owners will receive their 2014 “TRIM” Notices, or proposed property tax notice, notifying them of their 2014 property tax assessment information, exemptions, proposed tax amounts and proposed tax rates.  These notices also inform property owners of their rights to both challenge their property assessment and to speak out at various taxing authority hearings

Please keep in mind the 2014 property assessments reflect the values as of January 1, 2014.  Florida law requires our property assessments be based a year in arrears, meaning the 2014 property assessments are based upon the qualified sales from January 2, 2013 thru January 1, 2014.  Any sales which occur in the 2014 calendar year will be reflected in the 2015 property assessments.

Sincerely,

Lori Parrish, CFA 

If you have a question for Lori, please email her at lori@bcpa.net or write to her at the Broward County Property Appraiser’s Office, 115 South Andrews Avenue, Room 111, and Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301.  (July 2014)

Hurricane Evacuation maps

In keeping with Hurricane Preparedness, the Emergency Management Coordinator has provided us with the links for evacuation route maps in the event of a major storm in our area:

http://www.broward.org/Hurricane/Pages/HurricaneEvacuationMap.aspx or http://www.broward.org/Hurricane/Pages/EvacuationRoutes.aspx

General Meeting Croissant Park Civic Association June 2014

General Meeting June 24, 2014

Hi  Croissant Park Neighbors,

Happy Summer!  Our June meeting began at 7:10pm with the Pledge of Allegiance and was attended by Board members Pat Rathburn, Michelle DiMaria, Rhonda Kramer, Joe Russell, Beth Falkenhagen, Manny Carrera and  Virginia Russell.

June 1st was the first day of hurricane season so to mark the event we invited the Emergency Management Coordinator Freddie Zelaya to give us a refresher course on hurricane preparedness.  Freddie’s excellent Power Point presentation was  a great reminder of the hazards we face in this season and how to prepare for them.  For us here in South Florida we will experience the highest occurrence of storms from late August through fall. It is recommended that every household prepare an emergency kit that includes 5-7 days of emergency water (1 gallon per day/ per person) and food for each person and pet. In addition to water and food, medications and many other items should be included in your kit.  FEMA’s website www.ready.gov has a complete emergency supply list.  If you plan to evacuate to a shelter it is best to register at that shelter in advance to ensure space.  If you have pets, there are designated shelters you can use.  Again, advance registration is advised.  Now is a good time to trim bushes, trees and loose items that might become dangerous flying objects in a storm.  Early preparation is the key to keeping you and your loved ones protected.  In the event of a hurricane or significant weather event, Ft. Lauderdale City Information Line number is (954) 828-8888, for emergency info and updates of City operations.

We were pleased to honor Suzy Ludlow, the owner of Expresso, our local coffee drive-thru on Andrews Avenue with an award certificate and gift.  Suzy generously supplies coffee for every one of our Croissant Park meetings.  You might have also had the opportunity to take advantage of Suzy’s water aerobics class at our Community Pool and of her exercise class in the Community Center.  Thanks again, Suzy.

FLPD was unable to attend our meeting due to an ongoing incident.  However, Pat read the April/May statistics furnished to her by Ofc. Stevens:   in April we had 2 residential burglaries, 1 business burglary, 2 vehicle robberies and 2 vehicle thefts.  In May there were 3 residential burglaries, 1 vehicle robbery, and 2 vehicle thefts.  So far for the month of June we have had only 1 incident, a huge improvement compared to the two previous months.  No further information is available about the murder that occurred on 4th Avenue near 13th Street.  Neighbors have reported seeing ongoing transactions, possibly drug sales, at the FEC train tracks in Croissant Park.

Michelle informed us of the $46,000 grant we received, which will be spent on pet waste signs and oak trees.  The pet waste signs must be placed on private property and the homeowner must sign an agreement.  Some people are opting to place the sign on their property in the alley, but homeowners may also place them in their front yards.  The oak trees are available to homeowners willing to sign an agreement to thoroughly water the tree and care for it properly.  Contact any Board member if you are interested in placing a sign or planting a tree.

We had talked about partnering up with River Oaks residents to have a party at Gore-Betz Park, and the party committee has decided to wait until the fall when the rainy afternoons are no longer a threat and the weather is more comfortable for outdoor fun and games in the park.

A concerned neighbor asked if the halfway houses in the neighborhood are legal.  The answer is that generally most of them are legal. Many neighbors have complained that the residents cause problems, have many cars that are illegally parked, have overflowing trash cans, and are generally lousy neighbors that threaten our family-oriented neighborhood and our property values.  Our CPCA President Pat Rathburn continues to work on this problem, specifically with an attorney in Delray who is pushing for registration of these homes if a landlord is not living at that residence.  This will require that the cars have stickers.  The Code Enforcement people tell us that we have to call code when we see infractions, and to call 911 if we witness any illegal activities taking place. We are watching what other cities are doing about this issue and we need to “make noise” in Tallahassee and hope that it begins to take hold at the city level.  

The 50/50 raffle prize of a hurricane emergency kit went to Tami McClung.  The 50/50 cash prize was won by Joe Russell.

Our next General meeting will be September 30th...so we’ll see you in September.  Have a great summer!

Minutes by Virginia

Neighborhood Meeting - Tuesday, June 24

Hi neighbors,
 There will be a Neighborhood Meeting this Tuesday, June 24th at 7:00 pm in the Community Center. Our neighborhood Police Officers will be there to present the Crime Report and take questions and comments. Our speaker is Freddie Zelaya, Emergency Management Coordinator for City of Fort Lauderdale. He will be speaking on Hurricane Preparedness. We hope you will be able to make it for this very important information.

Refreshments will be served.
The Community Center is at 245 West Park Drive (south side of school, next to pools)
All neighbors of Croissant Park are invited!

Ask Lori Parrish

“Ask Lori…Parrish on Appraisal”

Broward County Property Appraiser Lori Parrish Answers Your Questions…

“Estimate of Taxable Value Increases 6.41% for Broward!”

Dear Lori:

I read in the newspaper last week your office just released a report on the 2014 Broward County’s property tax valuation increases. Is this report available to the public?

                                             B.R., Fort Lauderdale, FL (via email)

On May 28, 2014, our office released the 2014 Estimate of Taxable Values.  This is the third consecutive year property tax values have risen in Broward after four years of declines during the historic real estate collapse. These numbers resulted in a total countywide taxable value increase of 6.41%, and a total taxable value of $139.995 billion.  The 6.41% increase does not apply to every municipality within the county (please keep in mind the 6.41% increase represents the sum total of all taxable value in Broward County).  Some areas, such as Hallandale Beach, Coconut Creek, Cooper City and Davie saw a taxable value increase greater than 6.41%, while Lauderdale Lakes, Pembroke Park, and Dania Beach saw an increase of less than 6.41%.  To see a breakdown by taxing authority (County, Municipal, District, etc.), go to our website, www.bcpa.net, click on “Site Index” on the left side of the homepage, then click “2014 Tax Roll Information,” and finally “2014 June 1^st Taxable Value Report.”

The numbers released on May 28^th will be virtually identical to the final numbers formally confirmed by the Certification of Tax Roll Value on July 1, 2014.  The only changes, if any, will be to correct any errors discovered over the next 30 days and to extend any exemptions received and approved.  All new 2014 exemptions and Save Our Home portability applications filed to date are already reflected in these numbers.

Please keep in mind the 2014 property assessments reflect the values as of January 1, 2014.  Florida law requires our property assessments be based a year in arrears, meaning the 2014 property assessments are based upon the qualified sales from January 2, 2013 thru January 1, 2014.  Any sales which occur in the 2014 calendar year will be reflected in the 2015 property assessments.

Sincerely,

Lori Parrish, CFA

If you have a question for Lori, please email her at lori@bcpa.net or write to her at the Broward County Property Appraiser’s Office, 115 South Andrews Avenue, Room 111, and Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301.  (June, 2014)

Robert L. Wolfe, Jr. CFE
Community Outreach Specialist II
954.357.6871 – office
954.357.8474 – fax
954.445.5732 – cell

rwolfe@bcpa.net

Follow our office at:  http://www.facebook.com/propertyappraiser and http://twitter.com/loriparrish

MEMORIAL DAY 2014 IN CROISSANT PARK

A 50+ year tradition in Croissant Park. We are very fortunate to have Lauderdale Memorial Park within our neighborhood - the perfect spot to commemorate the people who fought so we could live free.

Croissant Park's very own hero - Deputy Fire Chief, Bob Simac

FREEDOM ISN'T FREE

Croissant Park Neighbor since the 60's

General Meeting--Croissant Park Civic Association April 2014

Hi Neighbors,

Our meeting was outdoors tonight because the Community Center was being used for a photo shoot of the 2014 Basketball Team.  So, we spread our picnic sandwiches, drinks and cake on the benches at the edge of the field, enjoyed the beautiful spring evening and socialized while we ate.  

Vice-President Michelle opened our meeting, Board members Rhonda, Pat, Heather, Joe, Manny and Virginia were in attendance. FLPD Officer Stevens gave us our crime report for the last two months.  In March we had 2 residential burglaries, 6 vehicle burglaries, and 2 auto thefts.  In April we had 2 residential burglaries, 3 auto burglaries, and 2 auto thefts.  In general, the crime rate is expected to go down now that Spring Break is over.  Regarding the auto thefts, several of them were scooters that had been stolen.  The police department’s plan of action at this time is to put more units in the neighborhoods between 10 am and 2 am to target the people who don’t belong.  Ofc. Stevens reminds us to lock our cars and leave nothing valuable in sight.  She acknowledged a comment made by one of our neighbors concerning the bike riders who break laws by not stopping at traffic lights.  Bike riders are subject to the same laws drivers follow and should wear visible-colored clothing and use lights on their bikes at night.  All in all, she reports that our neighborhood is doing well as far as helping the police catch the bad guys by installing cameras and alarm systems, and calling 911 when they see something amiss.  Arrests have been made as a result of neighbors’ vigilance.  You can request that your alarm company contact the police before they contact you by phone in the event that your alarm goes off, thereby reducing valuable police response time.  However, fair warning: this could lead to a ticket if it turns out to be a false alarm.  Officer Stevens encourages us to report anything out of the ordinary, either by calling 911 in an emergency or the non-emergency number  (954) 828-5700.  She can also be reached for questions or comments at her email tstevens@fortlauderdale.gov.  

Michelle reported that our grant money has come through, which we can use to purchase 25 dog poop signs that neighbors can volunteer to put in their yards or possibly in the alleys.  There is also grant money available for renovation of Bryant Peney Park on SW 4th Avenue.  At this time the plan is to install shade covers over the playground equipment and a hard surface.  Michelle will request a set of plans for our viewing.

Manny is heading up the committee to organize a Fourth of July party with River Oaks Civic Association at Gore-Betz Park.  Michelle will look into getting the City involved. 

In your strolls around the ‘hood you may encounter Rose, our longtime Croissant Park neighbor.  She loves to talk to people and encourage them to attend our meetings, along with a flyer that details meeting info.  Thanks for your dedicated work, Rose.

Another neighbor, attorney Maxine Streeter, will be letting homeowners know when a meeting with the attorney for the developer of the 15th Street project will be meeting to hear our questions and comments.

We are happy to welcome Amanda Smith and Michael Beck, two of our newest neighbors who attended the meeting for the first time.  Welcome to Croissant Park, Amanda and Michael!

The 50/50 raffle was won by Maxine Streeter, who promptly donated her winnings back to the Association.  Thank you, Maxine!

Our next Civic Association meeting will be June 24th.  We hope to have a speaker from the Broward County elderly services.  Hope to see you then.

Minutes by Virginia-Secretary