When Patrick Moriarity opened his tax bill this year and saw a 35 percent increase in the amount of money he owed on his two commercial rental properties in Venice, he was more than outraged.

Moriarity and new homeowners, owners of second homes and owners of commercial and rental properties have felt the pain of sharply rising taxes in Manatee and Sarasota counties.

Manatee County's taxable value in fiscal year 2006-2007 is $30.7 billion, compared to approximately $12.9 billion in 2000, according to county records.

"I'm retired and on a fixed income, so when I see a bill that is $1,500 more than last year, I can't eat that," Moriarity said. "I don't have any choice but to tell my tenants that the rent will have to go up at least $100 a month, if not $200. And pretty soon, our tenants won't be able to afford to rent from us anymore."

More than 100 concerned citizens of Sarasota County lined the walls of the commission chambers in Venice this week, demanding that commissioners do something about their higher tax bills due to the increase in property assessments. But Sarasota County Commissioners told the crowd that their hands were tied because of the "Save Our Homes" initiative that was approved by voters across the state in 1992.

"Save Our Homes" limits government tax increases on residential property to 3 percent a year for those with homestead exemptions. As a result, new homebuyers and those who own more than one property in the state are getting slammed with higher taxes.

During the Manatee County Commission's Sept. 6 public hearing on the proposed millage rate of 7.5 mills, about 30 residents told commissioners that proposing to reduce the property taxes by only 0.2 mills was laughable.

"Everybody knows Manatee County has had a staggering jump in property values," said John McConnin, whose son is a Realtor in Manatee and Sarasota counties. "Manatee County led the whole country. We made national headlines and they can't give us any relief? Give me a break."

For Manatee County residents, tax collections in the past six years have nearly doubled, going from almost $244.9 million in fiscal year 2000-2001 to about $472.5 million in fiscal year 2005-2006.

At the Sept. 6 meeting, Manatee County Commissioner Amy Stein said she sympathized with residents' concerns over property assessments, but argued that Manatee County is facing growing needs such as a shortage of more than 200 employee positions.

Even though Manatee County employees are having to juggle additional responsibilities without the proper pay, Stein said commissioners are still committed to reducing the millage by 0.2 mills.

"I don't know what the expectations are that county government can do better than that," Stein said during the Sept. 6 meeting. "I think the expectations are seriously flawed."

Sarasota County Commissioner Jon Thaxton said no one understands the problems surrounding the "Save Our Homes" initiative more than local elected officials, but complaining about the legislation is almost as dangerous as walking through a field of land mines.

"It is publicly unattractive to criticize 'Save Our Homes,' " Thaxton said. "Because about 75 percent of the properties in Sarasota County were able to take advantage of the homestead, which allows a 3 percent cap on property tax increases. So, 75 percent of the property owners in Sarasota County are reasonably happy.

The sad truth about the legislation is that homestead exemptions have gone far beyond providing those struggling to hold onto their homes with a tax break, Thaxton said.

"Back when 'Save Our Homes' was first proposed, it was sold to the public as a way to help poor little widows who were fighting to keep their $65,000 homes that they purchased 40 years ago," Thaxton said. "But that's not what's happening for the majority of those benefitting from Save Our Homes. Let's just say, if you own a small cabin and a $1 million home, which one are you going to apply for the homestead exemption? The 3-percent cap is the same."

In fiscal year 2000, Sarasota County collected more than $97 million through its countywide aggregate millage rate of 4.58 mills. Even though Sarasota County Commissioners are proposing an aggregate millage rate of 3.69 mills for fiscal year 2007, the finance department has estimated the county will collect more than $207 million.

Although it appears Sarasota County has a much lower proposed millage rate this year at 3.69 mills compared to Manatee County's 7.5 mills, Stein pointed out that Sarasota's user charges for basic services such as water and wastewater are much higher than in Manatee County.

Comparing basic county services for the average homeowner with an assessment of $173,000 for homestead properties in Manatee and Sarasota counties, Stein said the Manatee County resident would pay only $170 in a property tax bill for water service. That same homeowner in Sarasota County would be charged $348.

But one new homeowner, waving his tax bill at the school board meeting, expressed his outrage at gas prices and his general displeasure with his taxes. A board member responded, saying the 7.614 millage rate the district adopted this year was the lowest in 20 years.

"At the first public hearing, people were concerned about their assessments," Glass said. "But cutting the millage rate and saving $40 is not going to assuage concerns."

Donald Schroder, president of the Coalition Against Runaway Taxation and a Realtor in Holmes Beach, said property taxes and insurance are devastating Manatee County, particularly businesses and real estate along the islands.

"Right now, the taxes and insurance have become a man-made perfect storm," Schroder said. "Those two issues are crippling the real estate business. Florida is supposed to be the retirement capital of the world, but it has become unaffordable to many retirees."

With $36 billion in insured losses from eight hurricanes over the past two years, obtaining and keeping insurance has become an increasing problem for many home and business owners.

During a town hall meeting on Anna Maria Island last month, hosted by Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty and state Rep. Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, some business owners said their insurance payments exceeded their mortgage payments.

While homeowners are still wrestling with insurance concerns, Schroder said he will be headed up to Tallahassee this year along with several local state legislators to discuss possible changes in state's property tax system.

"There is no doubt about it, the whole tax system needs to be reviewed and revamped," Schroder said. "We need to take our concerns to Tallahassee because the county can only do so much and we need some relief."

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