ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — More than 100 property owners are trying to get a tax break this year by claiming their land is being used for agriculture.
But investigative reporter Daralene Jones learned some property owners who already get an exemption may be abusing the perk.
Brendan Cahill walks past a piece of vacant land in South Orange County near the Convention Center every day. He's heard and seen signs of cattle on the property, which is also marketed for a mixed-use activity center.
A website advertises a condo and hotel that was supposed to come to life in 2009, according to a sign on the property.
"I can hear them mooing," Cahill said.
"How many do you think?" Jones asks.
Cahill said he's seen "about 10 tops."
An attorney for the property owners said he can't say exactly how many cows are on the property and warned that people might not be able to see them because there are so many trees on the property to protect the cattle.
From Skywitness 9 it's still hard to see why the land is classified for agriculture use.
During the past three years, property appraiser records show the owner paid $19,000 total in property taxes for about 35 acres. According to the property appraiser, they would've paid about $515,000 without the agriculture classification.
"That's not a farm. That's a couple of cows grazing to keep the foliage down," said Cahill, who lives nearby.
And that's the same argument the Orange County property appraiser made when he denied the AG-classification. The Value Adjustment Board, however, disagreed, and now the county is suing to get it reversed.
"I would like to classify it as someone being cute with the law to skirt the system," said Orange County Property Appraiser Rick Singh.
About 1,800 property owners currently get agriculture tax breaks worth $40 million to the county, according to the property appraiser. And while most may be legitimately farming, Singh said those who aren't hurt all taxpayers.
"Every citizen of the county has to bear the brunt of that burden. It becomes a strain on everyone," Singh says.
Records show 163 property owners applied this year for an agriculture tax break. Forty were denied.