Outrageous Appraisal

When I received my notice of proposed property taxes, I was shocked, to say the least, to see that our small home in Avon Park is now being appraised at $50,059, an increase of $7,690 over 2006.
I could only wish that it was increasing in market value that much each year. Unfortunately, with the housing slump that is being experienced across our country, I know that such is not the case. It is a buyer's market not a seller's market.

Furthermore, because our home is located on the grounds of Avon Park Holiness Campground, the ground on which it is located is leased, making it unattractive to many potential buyers. Then, too, I cannot sell it to just anyone who might be interested. I must sell it through the camp board who must approve of the prospective buyers. This is done to protect the integrity of the camp and what it stands for.

I know that Barbara and I are not residents of Florida, and therefore do not qualify for the Florida Homestead Exemption and other property tax exemptions given to Florida residents. But we love Florida (we are third-generation Shiltzes to have a home in Avon Park) and would like to spend many more years as part-time residents. But if this unrealistic appraisal of our property continues, and unfair increase in property taxes is assessed against our home, we may well find ourselves having to follow the example of others we know who have sold their homes and quit coming to Florida. That would be very painful for us to do. We have become a part of Avon Park over the years.

My first visit to Avon Park was around 1950. My wife and I began visiting my parents, who owned the little house we now have, in 1982. When I retired from the ministry, we began coming to Avon Park for the winter, and when my parents died, the house passed to us.

Although we are only part-time residents, four and a half months of the year, we have become a part of the community through the church we attend, friends who are a part of the camp, and others friends of the community. We feel that we, and other non-resident homeowners, are being unfairly discriminated against with these unrealistically high appraisals and tad increases.

George and Barbara Shiltz
Avon Park