Osceola ReVIEW - August 2008 - (Page 9) Public Policy Update. Continued from Page 8. in Advanced Placement and Honors courses, maintaining the highest graduation rate in the state among large school districts, and successfully addressing the educational needs of at-risk students, English Language Learners, and Exceptional Education students. Over the past seven years, his curricular initiatives have resulted in the increase in student achievement in more key areas than any other large urban school district in the United States. Blaine A. Muse, Osceola’s current Superintendent, retired on June 30, 2008. [FAC 12D-8.011]. KISSIMMEE/OSCEOLA COUNTY WINS ALL-AMERICAN CITY DESIGNATION The Kissimmee, Osceola County delegation brought home the 2008 All-America City award. The community was one of 16 from across the country to travel to the Tampa Marriott. The All-America City Award is America’s oldest and most prestigious community recognition award. Since 1949 the All-America City Award has encouraged and recognized civic excellence, honoring communities of all sizes in which citizens, government, businesses, and voluntary organizations work together to explain how they are successfully resolving critical local issues. The City will partner with the Osceola County Economic Development Office to promote the All-America City status as a way to entice new businesses to come to the area. PROPERTY APPRAISER REPORT– SUBMITTED BY ATLEE MERCER, OSCEOLA COUNTY PROPERTY APPRAISER • Using Foreclosures in the Appraisal Mix – Many REALTORS® and-of course our Taxpayers-may wonder why the Property Appraiser’s assessments of value do not include deeds identifying the transaction as foreclosures, trustees in bankruptcy, deeds involving trades of land or bearing the same family name, etc. when they think they were “legitimate” sales. It is, in fact, the root of the classic conflict between a fee-based appraisal and a tax assessment appraisal. • What is the Difference – From the Fee based Appraisal standpoint, virtually any sale that is recorded with the Clerk of the Court can be considered in assembling comparables for establishing the value of a property. But the valuation process for establishing tax assessments is very different. In fact, it is a far less subjective process and is rigidly defined in Florida Statutes, the Florida Administrative Code and by decades of Case Law. • Florida Statutes – The assessment (tax) roll of each County is subject to review by the Florida Department of Revenue (DOR). Every two years, each County, is subject to an in-depth audit of their Tax Roll paying particular attention to the level of assessment in relation to the just value of each property. [FS 195.096] • Florida Administrative Code – As much as we would like to consider all sales (IT WOULD BE FAR EASIER FOR US TO DO SO), we cannot. For too many reasons to list here, the Florida Administrative Code which governs the Property Appraiser specifically enumerates which Deeds may – and more importantly – may NOT be considered in establishing just value. Just value is defined as what a willing seller would accept, and a willing buyer will pay, in an arms length transaction made without duress. And most importantly it defines the types of deed transfer transactions that should be disqualified, among which are all deeds recorded from or to banks, loan or mortgage companies. Finally, during the bi-annual-in-depth audit (see Florida Statutes above) the DOR examines carefully what sales are and are not qualified for making our assessment decisions and all of the specifically defined types of deeds must be disqualified – no choice, no wiggle room no exceptions. KISSIMMEE LAKEFRONT PARK PROJECT Request City Commission authorization to complete 100% of Phase 1, Roadway Design for the Lakefront Park Redevelopment Project. CITY OF ST. CLOUD Nolte Road Project (Coming Soon) - The Nolte Road Project will construct a roadway between Canoe Creek Road and Hickory Tree Road. The permitting and plans are almost completed, while the right of way acquisition is currently underway. Once the right of way is secured, the bidding process for this project can begin. Budinger Avenue Extension and Progress Boulevard Extension – The Budinger Avenue Extension will provide a secondary connection to the St. Cloud Elementary School and another north-south corridor connecting Nolte Road to 13th Street. This project consists of a stormwater pond, constructing and upgrading about a mile of roadway, and running new water, reuse and sewer lines. The Progress Boulevard Extension will connect Budinger Avenue to Progress Boulevard. This project consists of constructing about a quarter mile of new roadway and installing a new water line. Lakeshore Stormwater Management Improvements – Phase 2 (Substantially Complete) – The existing Dakota Avenue conveyance system consists of a deep open ditch, with steep side slopes. This system discharges directly into the lake without any water quality treatment, is currently a traffic hazard and requires countless hours of maintenance each year. Once piped, the existing conveyance system will direct the flow into a new pond prior to discharging into the lake. The Lakeshore Stormwater Management System Improvement – Phase 2 has been funded through grants from the Florida State Legislation and the South Florida Water Management District in cooperation with the City of St. Cloud. Continued on Page 10. August 2008 Osceola ReVIEW 9
Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Osceola ReVIEW - August 2008 Osceola ReVIEW - August 2008 President's Perspective CEO Perspective Education Corner Association Staff Knowledge Services News Association Newsmakers Association Leadership Welcome New Members New Affiliate Offices Osceola ReVIEW - August 2008 Osceola ReVIEW - August 2008 - Osceola ReVIEW - August 2008 (Page 1) Osceola ReVIEW - August 2008 - Osceola ReVIEW - August 2008 (Page 2) Osceola ReVIEW - August 2008 - President's Perspective (Page 3) Osceola ReVIEW - August 2008 - CEO Perspective (Page 4) Osceola ReVIEW - August 2008 - Education Corner (Page 5) Osceola ReVIEW - August 2008 - Knowledge Services News (Page 6) Osceola ReVIEW - August 2008 - Knowledge Services News (Page 7) Osceola ReVIEW - August 2008 - Knowledge Services News (Page 8) Osceola ReVIEW - August 2008 - Knowledge Services News (Page 9) Osceola ReVIEW - August 2008 - Knowledge Services News (Page 10) Osceola ReVIEW - August 2008 - Knowledge Services News (Page 11) Osceola ReVIEW - August 2008 - Knowledge Services News (Page 12) Osceola ReVIEW - August 2008 - Knowledge Services News (Page 13) Osceola ReVIEW - August 2008 - Knowledge Services News (Page 14) Osceola ReVIEW - August 2008 - Knowledge Services News (Page 15) Osceola ReVIEW - August 2008 - New Affiliate Offices (Page 16)
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