LAKE COUNTY VALUE ADJUSTMENT BOARD

OCTOBER 7, 2003

            The Lake County Value Adjustment Board (VAB) met in regular session on Tuesday, October 7, 2003, at 8:30 a.m., in the Lake County Board of County Commissioner’s Meeting Room, Lake County Administration Building, Tavares, Florida. Commissioners present at the meeting were: Welton G. Cadwell, Chairman, and Robert A. Pool. Commissioner Catherine C. Hanson was not present. School Board members present were: Jimmy Conner and Becky Elswick. Others present were: Sanford A. “Sandy” Minkoff, County Attorney; Frank Royce, Chief Deputy, Property Appraiser’s Office; and Judy Whaley, Deputy Clerk.

            RECONVENE

            Commissioner Cadwell, Chairman, reconvened the Value Adjustment Board (VAB).

            VAB PROCESS UPDATE

            Mr. Sandy Minkoff, County Attorney, noted that Mr. Frank Royce, Chief Deputy, Property Appraiser’s Office, was in attendance at today’s meeting. Mr. Minkoff stated that the VAB process is substantially different from the past. The first round of VAB hearings was held by Mr. Bruce Duncan who was chosen as Special Master to hear exemption and classification cases. One additional exemption case, which was rescheduled, will be heard at a later date. The valuation cases will be heard this month, by a Special Master, and will be continuing, possibly, into January 2004. Mr. Minkoff referred to a letter dated October 2, 2003, from Mr. Bob McKee, Lake County Tax Collector, to Chairman Cadwell, (a copy of the letter is included in the backup material) requesting that the interim assessment roll be certified today. He explained that the Lake County Board of County Commissioners (Board) certifies that roll. The interim assessment roll will be placed on the Board’s agenda for today’s meeting because the VAB will not conclude its process until after the 2003 tax bills are mailed. Mr. Minkoff stated that the only other item on today’s VAB agenda is the approval of the recommendations by Special Master Bruce Duncan from hearings on August 21, 2003, and September 12, 2003. He noted that the Special Master upheld the Property Appraiser on all petitions except Petition No. 2003-35 for total exemption for Good Life Broadcasting, a Lake County business, which is a 501(c)(3) corporation. The Special Master determined, and is recommending to the VAB, that Good Life Broadcasting be granted a full exemption.

            Mr. Frank Royce, Chief Deputy, Property Appraiser’s Office, confirmed that the Property Appraiser will not appeal that case.

            RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE SPECIAL MASTER

            On a motion by Commissioner Pool, seconded by Mr. Conner and carried unanimously, by a vote of 4-0, the Value Adjustment Board approved the recommendations of the Special Master for exemption petitions heard on August 21, 2003, and September 12, 2003, as follows:

upheld the recommendation of the Property Appraiser and denied Petition 2003-1, Joseph & Anna Klarl; Petition 2003-4, Ralph E. Ormsbee; Petition 2003-8, Ronald Hoy; Petition 2003-30, Cecile K. Dunn; Petition 2003-31, Ida Lee Watson; Petition 2003-32, Frank G. Williams, Jr.; Petition 2003-33, Helen M. Williams; Petition 2003-34, Paul M. and Diane S. Watson; Petition 2003-36 Tower Commercial Land Trust, Dale J. Ladd, Trust; Petition 2003-38 Joy Gonana; Petition 2003-39, Joy Gonano; and Petition 2003-41L James G. Randolph; and overturned the recommendation of the Property Appraiser and approved Petition 2003-35, Good Life Broadcasting.

            Mr. Minkoff commented that the next VAB meeting will be for the purpose of hearing the Special Master’s recommendations on approximately 140 assessment petitions.

            RECESS

            At 8:40 a.m., there being no further business to be brought to the attention of the VAB, Chairman Cadwell recessed the VAB until January 20, 2004.

 

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                                                                                    WELTON G. CADWELL, CHAIRMAN

ATTEST:




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JAMES C. WATKINS, CLERK