Declaration of Taxpayers' Civil Rights

Florida taxpayers have inalienable rights to an "adequate remedy," at no cost, to ensure our property taxes are at "just value". To be "adequate," taxpayers' civil rights must be protected, with a mechanism for enforcement of due process. Yet, Florida has no method for addressing abuses.

Therefore, we hereby express our support for the Florida Legislature and Cabinet to end institutionalized VAB abuses by adopting complete, ethical, meaningful measures to secure our civil rights, to guarantee VAB decisions are lawful in process, as well as to ensure uniform taxable values.

WE PROPOSE

CREATING regional volunteer Valuation Adjustment Boards, whose members shall be selected by the Governor and Cabinet from private appraisers, licensed real estate brokers, and property tax attorneys. This concept is Finding #1 in the Florida Auditor General's Performance Audit of fourteen Florida VABs.

ELIMINATING inherent conflicts of interest between Florida Department of Revenue and Property Appraisers by clarifying the independent supervisory role of DOR, on behalf of taxpayers.

SUPPORTING Finding #5 of the Auditor General - that VABs engage outside counsel to remove the systemic bias of county attorneys.