IT'S TIME TO LOWER TAXES



Hello, my name is Scott Yardley and since I'm asking you to vote for me its only fair that I introduce myself. I am a native South Floridian, living in Margate for the past 13 years. I'm 46 years old, married once to the same beautiful, wonderful woman for 16 years. We have 7 children, yes seven, and by God's grace we've managed to stay together, fed, and healthy. Having a large family, I know what it's like to live with in a budget (something our city should learn) and discern between what is necessary and what isn't. Many of you may know our family because of its size, because of the character of our children and because they are often seen selling sodas on Winfield Blvd. They are good kids and all hard workers, as myself, making their own spending money and savings by knocking on doors and creating their own opportunities. I'm not accustomed to luxury, and learned early that If I want something, I need to work for it. I have 8 years of college, paid for by my own efforts. I also served 4 years in the Army as a Special Forces "Green Beret".


I am new to politics and am inspired by my growing discontent with government. My concern with Margate specifically is its lack of fiscal responsibility and it's apparent lack of concern with the current economic burden of families and those on fixed-income. Why do I say this? Over the past 5 years real estate prices have risen so high that just the taxes on them have become a burden to the home owner. This jump in taxes should have supplied Margate far more money then it was normally accustomed to. It only makes sense, our jump in taxes were far above the normal rate. But when the State of Florida ordered Margate to lower our millage rate by 5%, the city complained that it didn't have enough money. This was only a 5% drop, nothing compared to what our property taxes have risen. So, in reality Margate should still be gathering in surplus funds. But Margate says it doesn't have any surplus funds. What did it do with all this extra money? Did they buy new roads? No, they decided to borrow money from bonds to pay for that. We'll be paying over $9,000,000 extra on interest for this. So where did all the money go? Margate acts like there never was a big rise in ad valorem (property tax) revenue to pay for their operation. In response to the mil rate reduction mandate from The State of Florida, Margate raised our fire tax (fire assessment fee) by $80 per residential unit. So did we really get a tax relief with this lowered mil rate? Maybe not. $80 is 5% of $1600. So if your property taxes are less then $1600, then, your taxes will go up even more. If your taxes are over $1600, your taxes may lower but by less than 5%. Beyond this, Margate also plans to take away a lot of services. The kids suffer the most. Here are a list of some cutbacks:
  • Three less School Resource Officers for our elementary schools.
  • Eliminate the school break programs.
  • Lower funding to the summer recreation program.
  • Close Calypso Cove from November 1 through March 31.
  • Cancel July 4th Fireworks (Lexus stepped in here. Thank you Lexus!)
  • Cancel the Fall Festival
  • Cancel Winter Solstice
  • Cancel Sounds at Sundown
  • Cancel Egg Hunts.
  • Shorten the hours of Margate Library
  • No more paying for umpires at Little league ball games

Some property tax bills in Broward County may increase despite lower values
A few people tell me that since they purchased their home long ago their taxes are much lower and therefore this tax problem doesn't involve them. But, left to itself government will never lower their own income to bring relief to the over taxed home. No, they will increase the taxes of the lower taxed home so they can lower the taxes of the higher taxed home while at the same time maintian (or raise) the amount of money they have in their pockets.

Over 300 listings of Margate homes in forecloser. These are only the current listing, more will come. This is very a sad commentary of our plight. How many of these home had a high property tax? Margate's government may not of caused our real estate problem, but it has certianly profited from it and refuses to stop profiting from it.


Born in South Florida.
Served 4 years in the US Army, Special Forces Green Beret.
Lived in Margate 13 years.
Married 16 years to Catherine, my wonderful wife.
Father of 7 great, well behaved, fun children.
 
phone: 954-970-3600
email: vote@scottyardley.com











33.56% -   Property Taxes
25.40% -   Charges for services
21.23% -   Franchise Fees/utility service tax
11.14% -   Intergovernmental Revenue
3.53% -   Transfer from Reserves
2.67% -   Licenses and permits
2.47% -   Interest income and other





62.81% -   Fire & Police Department
13.65% -   General Government
9.22% -   Culture and Recreation
9.07% -   Public Works
3.53% -   Economic and physical environment



Political advertisement paid for and approved by Scott Yardley for City Commissioner - seat 4