Good summer news

Maybe Florida lawmakers did it this way to give local elected officials protection from taxpayers. 

We all know August typically brings the proverbial “dog days of summer” — when, in Florida, it’s muggier than ever and your energy levels are sapped. Or, you’ve already headed for the northern hills. 

But it’s also the month when every Florida property owner receives that annual love letter from the property appraiser, informing you of what your property tax rates and amounts will be for the next fiscal year. 

You probably don’t focus on it. Your mind is elsewhere, and it’s confusing to read. That is, unless your tax rates are going up.

But so far, it looks like another year of good news — at least in one respect: All of the region’s taxing authorities either are committing not to raise tax rates or have committed to lowering them. 

Those holding at current rates: Longboat Key; city of Sarasota; ›Manatee and Sarasota counties; and the West Coast Inland Navigation District. 

Those lowering rates: The two school boards — Manatee and Sarasota; Sarasota County Public Hospital Board; and the Southwest Florida Water Management District. The Legislature required all school districts to lower the portion of their rates required by the state; the school boards didn’t do it by choice. And SWFMD can afford the cut, it’s swimming in cash (see box).

Now, while holding tax rates steady is always welcome, taxpayers also know this game. Many likely will be paying more in property taxes next year anyway, thanks to rising property values. Indeed, Florida’s healthy economy and the state’s population growth are fueling increases in property values statewide.

Government officials and politicians like this. They can say they’re not raising taxes (tax rates, that is), but they also will be collecting more money to spend. What a great racket. 

Rare indeed is the public official who will lobby for the “rollback rate” — cutting the tax rate so the taxing authority collects the same amount next year as it collects this year.

All of which is proof that government is the same as human tendency. It will spend more when the economy is growing and feeding it more. And it will spend less only when the economy is feeding it less.