Property Taxes, Voting Machines Top Discussion at June Community Forum

Commissioner Santamaria and Assistant County Administrator Brad Merriman discuss planned voting equipment changes.

Commissioner Santamaria hosted his sixth Community Forum on June 20 at the original Wellington Mall. Residents were especially interested in budget cuts facing the County, property tax relief options proposed by state lawmakers, and plans to replace touch-screen voting machines with optical scanners.

Morley Alperstein, a member of the Wellington Planning and Zoning Advisory Board, gave a detailed presentation on the Legislature’s proposed amendment to create a “super exemption” method of determining property taxes. Voters will decide on the option in January.

County Administrator Bob Weisman answered several questions about property tax revenue reductions mandated by the state and cutbacks in certain services and projects that are being considered to meet the anticipated shortfall.

Assistant County Administrator Brad Merriman explained how the new optical scanner voting equipment will work when the machines are used for the first time in the September 2008 primary. The state ordered the switch to optical scanners, but as yet has not provided all the funding needed to implement them.

Commissioner Santamaria said he was very pleased by the excellent questions and comments offered by residents during the two-hour open discussion.

County Administrator Bob Weisman explains how budget cuts will result in some programs and services being reduced or eliminated.	Loxahatchee Groves Councilman Dennis Lipp comments on proposed road projects.
Morley Alperstein explains how to calculate your property taxes under the proposed super exemption method.	Sandy White is concerned about possible cutbacks for public transportation.