Leon County and Tallahassee’s changing property market is a big part of the race for property appraiser. New businesses and student housing is sparking conversation among the candidates.
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Former Leon County Commissioner and architect Akin Akinyemi says some of the increase in student housing, has been driven by the federal government:
"The federal government, in 2009, when they passed the recovery act, there was a hefty portion for student dormitory loans," Akinyemi said. "That really flourished the industry.”
At issue is whether Tallahassee is over-built in student housing. Candidate Greg Lane says it’s changing the area’s property market.
“As far as apartments in general, I think we’ll continue to see more of them because home ownership, as important as that is, is becoming more expensive. Not everyone can afford their first home.”
And Clay Ketcham says those larger, historical student complexes located far from the center of town are now experiencing cash flow problems.
“Rent reductions, and they’re experiencing higher vacancies. With those two things. Their property is worth less than it was," he said.
And Doug Will says it’s the property appraiser’s job to account for that loss in revenue.
“What’s your rent, what’s your expenses so we can see what your net operating income is, and that’s how we become responsive to them," Will said.
The larger student projects have a bigger assessment. Property taxes make up the bulk of Leon County’s budget—and that for its schools. But as Lane points out--the appraiser is not the taxing agent:
“I want to make sure everyone is clear as we talk about these things. The property appraiser is not responsible for taxing you. The property taxes are going to be driven by the Leon County School Board, Northwest Florida Water Management District, Leon County and the City of Tallahassee.”
An influx of new businesses, student-housing complexes, and concerns about homesteaded properties is driving the race for Leon County Property appraiser.
Candidates appeared recently on WFSU’s Perspectives program. Longtime Property appraiser Bert Hartsfield is stepping aside after more than 30 years in office. He has endorsed his deputy appraiser, Doug Will, for the job.
