Statement by Commission Chairman Joe Meek
Statement by Commission Chairman Joe Meek
Today, Progress Energy/Duke Energy has submitted a tax payment that is approximately $15 million less than what the Citrus County Property Appraiser says is their responsibility, based upon the certified tax rolls. In doing so, it directly threatens Citrus County’s ability to fund its school system, community services, environmental protection, law enforcement and fire protection and negatively impacts our very quality of life.
According to the Property Appraiser, the current tax assessment for Progress Energy/Duke Energy is approximately $35 million. It is 26 percent of the entire tax base for the county. The Property Appraiser has certified the tax roll, and our local governments have built their budgets and set their millage rates based on those figures. Today, Progress Energy/Duke Energy presented a check to the County for approximately $19 million, which is a staggering $15 million short.
It should be noted that all the Taxing Authorities, including the Board of County Commissioners, School Board, Mosquito Control Board, Citrus Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees, and the Southwest Water Management District are currently operating in the fiscal budget year in which Duke Energy has decided NOT to pay their full tax bill. It is extremely disappointing that Duke Energy has decided to take this course of action. The timing and manner in which their lack of payment is being done will have a drastic negative effect on our community and jeopardize the financial stability of our county.
For many years, Florida Power and then Progress Energy have had a good working relationship with our community and have reached consensus on their tax liability and impact on our county. Unfortunately, since the merger, Duke Energy has chosen not to pursue that course, but rather reduce their tax liability in a manner that will cause great harm to Citrus County. Duke Energy’s first order of business in our community was not to be a community partner, but unfortunately to place the County into a financial crisis. The emergency meeting scheduled for Friday will provide an opportunity to review what has happened, to assess the consequences and to evaluate our alternatives to protect our residents.
Joe Meek, Chairman
Citrus County Board of County Commissioners
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