Several people recently posted comments in a Facebook group about their property taxes doubling and tripling in Nassau County, Florida. Eye reached out to those who made comments to gather more information and unfortunately, no one responded.

Eye reached out to Tracy Bazar, director of property taxes, and she said she was not aware of this occurring for existing property owners, but it could be possible based on loss of exemptions, a new purchase, going from vacant land to having a new home built or other additions to the property such as swimming pools and other amenities.

Bazar, who represents Nassau County Tax Collector John Drew, added that an increase in the millage rates or assessed value of the property or the loss of an exemption are common changes that affect the total tax amount.

Kevin Lilly, chief deputy in the Nassau County Property Appraiser’s Office said that it is possible for a property tax bill to double or triple in one year due to a reset value on property. Lilly added that any change in ownership or the approval or removal of homestead exemption could trigger a reset in market value.

“It is important to understand that property values throughout the county and the increase the county has seen is due to the influx of new residents and the drive for people to move here,” Lilly said. “Florida is a fair market value state which means purchase price is considered when we determine value.”

Bazar said that properties with homestead exemption are capped by Florida law and can only increase up to the capped value each year, and non-homestead properties also have a cap on how much the assessed value can increase each year.

“Property owners do not always understand the additional cost of non-ad valorem taxes added to their ad valorem property taxes on the tax bill,” she said.

“I believe that a lot of property owners are surprised the increase in taxes is due to basing their expected (estimated) tax amount on a prior owner’s taxes,” she said. “A new owner should never estimate their tax liability based on the prior owner’s taxes. Save Our Homes caps and the exempt amounts on a home owned for many years, and likely purchased for a much lower price, are not comparable to the taxes due for a new owner, especially in today’s real estate market.”

Comments posted on Facebook indicate that even property owners with various caps and discounts are having difficulty, and some are in fear of losing their homes.

One said, “My county taxes doubled from last year…almost can’t afford the house anymore. Terrified for next year. Have a homestead exemption and a discount from the county on top of that.”

Generally, the posts suggested that taxes in Nassau County are increasing every year and are making it difficult for those who are not wealthy to remain living in the area.

One post read as follows: “90% of the houses in Yulee aren’t even worth $1,800 a month let alone over $2 grand. I’m seriously about to move to Georgia because Florida has its head so far up its own …. its not able to see the difference between dental floss and a cloud in the sky.”

A response to that comment was, “I’d be curious to see your tax bill, it doesn’t seem correct.” Another comment seemed to go along with Bazar’s comment concerning an increase in property taxes by asking if those who posted had looked at the appraised value of their homes since they bought it.

Some people in the chat stated that the increase in taxes motivated them to move out of the area.

“This is why I moved to Folkston (GA)… writing was on the wall. Nassau is now St Johns County 2.0. Good luck everyone but it’s gonna get a lot ..lot worse.”

Another stated, “This is why we moved to Kingsland.”

Yet another individual ranted, “I’m glad we moved to Tennessee, yes we have high sales tax and food is taxed, but everything thing else beats Florida, even the cold weather, you can always put on more clothes to get warm but can never take enough off to keep cool.”

One responder blamed the school board for the rise in property taxes.

“School board taxes do not have a 3% limit like county and state. The local school tax burden is the main culprit of your tax increase.”

One person seems to be looking on the bright side and referenced Jan. 20 (When Donald Trump becomes president) as a saving grace. “Don’t worry. Starting January 20th, the costs of everything — including taxes — are going to go down.”

Bazar also added some encouragement for those who have questions or concerns about their property taxes.  She suggested homeowners reach out to the tax collector’s office and they will find the right person to answer their questions.

Property owners can challenge the assessment of their property and have it reviewed, and possibly changed.

Property in Nassau County has become more desirable, and therefore more valuable.

The aggregate operating tax rate set in the $482 million budget adopted by the county commission in September will produce 5 percent more revenue than last year’s tax rate.