Scott to Examine Florida’s Special Taxing Districts

Gov. Rick Scott has directed staff to review Floridas special taxing districts, a release from the governors office stated Thursday.

A major factor in our goal of lowering the cost of living for Floridians are the roughly 1,600 special districts in Florida which bring in more than $15 billion in taxpayer-funded revenues each year, Scott said in the release. Floridians have a right to know what theyre being taxed for and how that money is spent. This review will bring to light these questions and allow us to identify ways to save taxpayers' money and increase accountability.

There are more than 1,600 special taxing districts across the state that collectively impose $15.5 billion in taxes a year.

Scott announced in December he intended to take a close look at the special taxing districts -- as he did the water management districts last summer -- that proliferate across Florida.

According to the release, the following areas will be examined for each district:

• Serving the purpose it was created for?
• Being governed efficiently?
• Levying taxes, fees and assessments appropriately?
• Being held accountable to the taxpayers whose lives they directly impact?
• Operating in a transparent manner?
• Prudently spending tax dollars?
• Properly complying with the current level of oversight?