MARION COUNTY, Fla. — On Tuesday, dozens of senior citizens confronted the Marion County Commission saying they deserve a tax break.
Voters statewide approved an amendment giving low-income seniors an additional homestead exemption. But the Marion commission has refused to implement it.
The amendment passed statewide, and it passed in Marion County, which is why the seniors say the county commission is obligated to follow the will of the people.
Many of the self-described senior citizens who jammed the Marion County Commission meeting said they believe the youngsters on the board should respect their elders more.
"This place would fall apart without us. Think about that," said resident Janice Lentz.
For the second time in three months, dozens of seniors slammed the commission for refusing to implement Amendment 11.
"Shame on you all," Lentz told the commissioners.
Sixty-one percent of Florida voters passed the amendment in November, giving an additional property tax break to lower-income seniors. But each county commission gets the final say, and in a 3-2 vote, Marion County's commission said no.
"You know, your ideology means nothing. You're supposed to have no ideology up there. You're supposed to do what the people of the county tell you to do. And what we told you to do was give the old people a break," Amendment 11 supporter Al Lynch told the commission.
Opponents of the amendment insist it was nothing more than an entitlement.
"I have sat here and listened to a few old folks beg for the exemption. But like spoiled children, they do not understand what the word 'no' means," said Marion County resident Butch Verrando.
But supporters said it would have cost taxpayers just $160,000 a year. And some of the seniors issued a warning, saying they will have the final say.
"Remember, two of you are up for re-election and we will not forget," said Amendment 11 supporter Gail Colby.
Many county commissions across the state have given the low-income seniors the tax break. Neighboring Lake County did so in December.
WFTV
