Deltona homeowner paying taxes for waterfront property on dried-up lake

DELTONA, Fla. — A Volusia County homeowner said she’s being forced to pay taxes on waterfront property that’s anything but.

Joy Olivero said the lake not looks more like a forest and doesn’t understand why the county considers it waterfront property even though the lake hasn’t held water in years.

When Olivero and her husband purchased their Deltona home, they had dreams of having a waterfront property, and it’s reflected on their taxes every year.

While there are some homes on Lake Theresa that do face water, Olivero’s home on Sonnet Court is situated on the other side of a drainage inlet from the lake.

“It doesn’t remind me of a lake-front property,” she said. “We pay $3,000 in taxes and I just think that is crazy.”

Olivero said she contacted the Volusia County property appraiser to explain her situation.

She was told it was a “seasonal thing” and when a hurricane comes, it will fill up.

Property appraiser Morgan Gilreath said Olivero’s backyard will always be considered lakefront because water levels change drastically in Florida.

“Re-evaluate and really pay attention to our dried-up lake, or forest, I guess you could say we have here,” Olivero said.

The Property Appraiser’s Office said it’s looking into the issue.

Olivero did have the option to dispute her property taxes, but the deadline was in early September and she failed to challenge it at that time.

Cox Media Group