The Committee of the Islands (COTI) will present its next COTI Conversation of the season, \u201cThe Property Tax Debate: Pros and Cons,\u201d on Jan. 18 at 4 p.m. at The Community House, at 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.<\/p>\n
The guest speaker will be Sanibel Vice Mayor and Florida League of Cities President Holly Smith. She will discuss efforts by the governor and state Legislature to reduce or eliminate local property taxes.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is of critical importance that every property owner fully understands the risks, as well as the advantages, of this proposal,\u201d COTI shared. \u201cProperty taxes are used to fund key local services \u2014 law enforcement, waste collection, road repair, emergency response, recreation and more. Unlike other types of revenue, property tax monies stay in the community where they are raised.\u201d<\/p>\n
The program will examine the benefits and drawbacks of the current proposals, exploring whether or not they will really reduce the tax burden for Floridians and whether proposed changes will help or hurt local communities.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnder the current system, residents have a strong voice in how dollars are spent,\u201d COTI shared. \u201cShifting to a system where funding is controlled by the state risks undermining home rule and invites decisions that could underfund local key services and fail to respond to local priorities.\u201d<\/p>\n
The program is free and open to the public, but registration is required.<\/p>\n
To register, visit https:\/\/bit.ly\/492Tjac<\/a>.<\/p>\n For more information, visit www.COTI.org<\/a> or contact coti33957@gmail.com.<\/p>\n