080353 85
MINUTES
August 3 at 8 P.M. 17 53
City Commission, Sonford, Florida, . .....................................................
The City Commission of
Hall in the City of Sanford,
Present:
the City of Sanford, Florida, met in adjourned session at the City
Florida, at 8:00 o'clock P. M. August 3, 1953:
Commissioner W. H. Stamper, Acting Mayor
" J.D. Cordell
" John D. Ivey
" John L. Kadet
City Attorney A. Edwin Shlnholser
City Clerk H. N. Bayer
City Manager Thcs. L. Lemon
Absent: Commissioner Randall Chase, Mayor
ments
Meeting called to order by the C.hslrman.
Further consideration next given to the revised estimate of the proposed sewerage improve-
project, as prepared and submitted by consulting engineers Robert M. A~ugas and Associates,
and after considerable diecusalon, Commissioner Kadet moved that Engineer Angae be instructed
to prepare and furnish cost estimate on repairing existing sewerage system without any separa-
tion from storm sewers, including the proposed sewer extensions, interceptor line, pump branch
improvement, and a sewage disposal plant. Seconded by Commissioner Cordell and carried.
The Co~.Asslon then convened as a Tax Equalization Board to consider further the assessed
valuatlons on the 1953 Tax Roll, as prepared by the City Tax Assessor.
Ralph T. Cowan, president of Banford Iuduetries, Inc., then appeared with reference to
the assessed valuation on the Crown Paper Company building which they have leased to house a
needlework plant. He advised of leasing the property for a period of five yenrs at a rental of
$3,600.00 per year and having to pay all taxes and insurance, and requested the Board to make
special concessions in the taxes by lowering the assessed valuation.
Thereupon Mr. Cowan was advised that the City h~d no legal authority to make any tax con-
cessions but that consideration would be given toward appropriating funds in next fiscal year's
budget for the Industrial Board, which could be used to defray such expenses.
The following letter next submitted from the fiscal agents recommending that immediate
steps be taken to reaeeess all taxable property within the City on basis of 80% of present market
value instead of the present assessed valuation of approximately 50% of current market value:
July 31, 1953
The Honorable Mayor and City Commission,
City of Sanford, Florida.
Gent lament
In developing t~he economic end statistical information covering the City of Sanford,
we are confronted with a very low assessed valuation and an extremely high ad val-
orem tax debt. At the present time, this outstanding debt is approximately 26~% of
your total assessed valuation and moat ~ertainly does not reflect the present
economic stability of Sanford.
As your financial advisors, we are now completing the development of the financing
plan for your Water and Sewer Improvemente. It is our considered Judgment that you
take immediate steps to reassess all taxable property within the City on the basis
of approxima~%ely 80% of present market value in order to accomplish the successful
financing of your proposed Water and Sewer Improvements. By so doing, you will not
only materially improve your financial picture in the eyes of prospective bidders
for your contemplated certificate issue, but will help to secure the best possible
interest cost at the time the certificates are offered for sale.
We confider the above recommended increase in assessed valuation as a must in order
to consummate a successful sale of your proposed revenue certificate issue.
Very truly yours,
SULLIVAN NELSON & GOSS, INC.
G. L. Nelson
Vice President
Thereupon after careful consideration and upon advice that mose of the neighboring cities
and counties are assessing property on'basis of from 50 to 70% of present market value, Cpm-
SG
MINUTES
City Commission, Sonford, Florida, August; 3 at 8 P. J~. ,5'~1
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assessed valuations, and that the Commission sit in final session as a Tax Equalization Board
at 8:00 o'clock P. M. August 25, 1953, to act uoon the proposed increase. Seconded by Com-
missioner Kadet and carried over the dissenting vote of Commissioner Stemoer who stated that it
is contrary to state wide policy of giving relief to homeowners - our valuations would be
greater than most sl~llar Flo~Ida towns. It means raising taxes on a large number of home-
owners who will pay the biggest total of the sewerage tax. The least affected shall be
business property.
him
Commissioner Kader then advised that Mayor Chase, absent from the meeting, had informed
that he was in favor of increasing the assessed valuations on all taxable property.
There being no furt~er business the mee~in~ adjourned.
ATTEST:
City Clerk
Azo
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