Governor could back tax breaks

Florida property appraisers expect Gov. Jeb Bush to support their proposal to give tax relief to homeowners with hurricane damage, Orange County Property Appraiser Bill Donegan said Thursday.

On a conference call with Lt. Gov. Toni Jennings and other state officials Thursday, Donegan and property appraisers discussed their proposal to reassess the value of homes hurt by Hurricane Charley.

Under Florida law, homeowners have to pay property taxes based on the value of their homes on Jan. 1. That means some would be legally obligated to pay taxes on homes that no longer exist.

A change, which could reduce tax bills to reflect the damage, would require an act of the Legislature. Property appraisers in 12 Florida counties -- including Orange, Osceola and Volusia -- support the change.

“We were assured by [Jennings] that the Legislature would be looking into it. Whether there’s enough pressure to cause a special session, I just don’t know,” Donegan said. The Governor’s Office would not comment Thursday.

Donegan said Jennings also told appraisers that Bush would sign an order today to delay the mailing of property-tax notices by 60 days.

The order will have little impact in Orange County, where such notices already have been mailed. But it will affect some of the Southwest Florida counties -- those hardest hit by Charley.

Sean Mussenden can be reached at smussenden@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5664