The Madison Rotary Club’s weekly meeting was held at the Villa Maria Hall St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church, located at 301 N. Orange Avenue in Madison at noon on Wednesday, July 15. At this week’s meeting, a new member was inducted. The new member was Jeff Mohnen, who was accompanied by his wife, Susan. Following the induction this week’s speaker was Leigh Barfield, Madison County’s Property Appraiser. She explained her duties and significant facts about the Property Appraiser’s job. During her introduction, she stated the property appraiser cannot lower taxes and release property values because cities, the County Commission, the School Board and others have discretion since tax levies and several taxing authorities determine tax rates. The Florida Department of Revenue has the authority over the Property Appraiser of approving the County’s final assessment roll by the State legislature. Annually, the Department of Revenue has to analyze, accept or exclude the final assessment roll. Within a city, county, state or any taxing authority, a tax roll lists taxable property. Madison County tax roll level of Assessment for 2014 was 94.6 and a state average of 95.46. This ratio is determined by comparing the just values of the actual selling price of all properties during the prior year.
Approved by the state, the 2015-2016 budget is $688,105. According to Barfield, the requested budget for 2015-2016 was approved by the state for $688,105. Some $554,000 goes to personnel services, however, $133,000 goes toward operating expenses. This year budget is down 4.9 percent from the previous year. “I consider it a privilege to serve you, the citizens of Madison County, as your Property Appraiser,” said Barfield. “The Property Appraiser’s office makes every effort to appraise all properties to ensure that you pay your required share of taxes. We treat everyone with honesty, courtesy and respect.” Barfield said, “As far as the overall assessment, our assessed value this year is $922,171,647, which is certified for the Cities, Board of County Commissioners, School Board and Suwannee River Water Management. This leads to an extension value of $280,372,396 and taxable value of over $641 million. If you have any questions about Property Appraisement, call (850) 973-6133 or visit 229 SW Pinckney St. Room 201 in Madison.
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1. Greene Publishing, Inc. Photo By Shikari Hamm, July 15, 2015. Leigh Barfield, Madison County’s Property Appraiser, speaking at the Rotary Club’s weekly meeting.
2. Greene Publishing, Inc. Photo By Shikari Hamm, July 15, 2015. The President of the Madison Rotary Club inducting new member, Jeff Mohnen, with certficate. Pictured, from left to right, are: Susan Mohnen (wife), Jeff Mohnen, Jim Catron (Secretary) and Mark Buescher (President).