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Letters to the Editor: Best Friends for Life
December 12th, 2003

Letters to the Editor: Merry Christmas Cedar Key
December 8th, 2003

Letters to the Editor: Go GW Go!
November 29th, 2003

Letters to the Editor: How Can You Tell It`s Hunting Season?
October 17th, 2003

Letters to the Editor: Fishing in Cedar Key
October 16th, 2003

Letters to the Editor: Medically Needy Program Changes
June 25th, 2003

Letters to the Editor: Support Your Local Police
May 30th, 2003

Letters to the Editor: County Budget Questions
May 27th, 2003

Letters to the Editor: Good Publishing!
May 12th, 2003

Letters to the Editor: Toxic Dumping in Gulf Waters
May 11th, 2003

Letters to the Editor: Tribute for Our Hometown Hero
May 7th, 2003

Letters to the Editor: An Election Opinion
May 1st, 2003

Letters to the Editor: Historic Event in Cedar Key
April 19th, 2003

Letters to the Editor: Marines Call with Words of Sympathy
April 2nd, 2003

Letters to the Editor: With Deepest Sympathy
March 28th, 2003

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Skyrocketing Property Taxes

Skyrocketing Property Taxes

Letters to the Editor

"I am writing as a concerned citizen and property owner in Cedar Key. I am appalled at the skyrocketing property taxes and believe that we should all get involved in this issue. My taxes are proposed to increase by over $4,378 in one year (an increase of over 38%) on a small house (1,180 square feet) and property. The year before that the taxes increased by 29%. The proposed taxes are unfair and for several years now have far exceeded the appreciation of the property. It appears that much of Levy county is trying to exist on the backs of those that own homes and property in Cedar Key.

I do not currently homestead my house in Cedar Key but I should not be punished for that. My husband and I own a home in Gainesville and have been saving up for over 30 years to be able to afford a small place in Cedar Key where we could eventually retire. We have been fishing and visiting in Cedar Key for all of our life and have contributed much to the city for many years by renting local places, buying food in restaurants and the grocery store, as well as many other places in town. We really care about the town and the people who live there. The taxes just take away money from the town that could otherwise have been spent in local establishments.

The taxes also make it hard for anyone that does want to sell any property - including people who have lived there for some time. Cedar Key in now known throughout the state and beyond as a very expensive place to have property - primarily because of the taxes. Even people that buy a home planning to homestead balk at the property taxes they will start with. And.. the services provide to this city do not justify this level of taxes.

I will close by saying that I could understand an increase in taxes that would be larger than the 3% enjoyed by those that homestead but 30% to over 100% (proposed for one of my friends that recently built a home) is totally unfair - I would even suggest criminal. I ask any of you that are concerned by this issue to please get involved."


Paula Varnes Fussell

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