AUGUST 28, 2008 UPDATE

We are still awaiting a ruling in the residential lawsuit from Judge Michael Jones in the Circuit Court of Escambia County.

Everyone should have received the “Notice of Proposed Property Taxes” for 2008. This document is sent out by the Escambia County Property Appraiser to provide you the amount of market value as well as the assessed and taxable value they have given to your leasehold improvements. The taxable value determined by the Property Appraiser will be combined with the tax rate set by the different taxing authorities to determine your 2008 Ad Valorem Tax Bill. Tax bills are mailed out by the Escambia County Tax Collector about November 1^st. All plaintiffs who are being represented by Shell, Fleming, Davis & Menge in the residential law suit have contested the legality of the real property tax on leasehold improvements, not the amount of the taxes.

Some leaseholders also dispute the value used to arrive at the taxable value. If you feel that the market value of your property is inaccurate or does not reflect fair market value, the “Notice of Proposed Property Taxes” instructs you to contact the Property Appraisers Office. If you have a problem with the assessment on your improvements, please read the instructions on the Notice. Our attorneys do not represent any of the plaintiffs in the law suit in any dispute that might arise regarding the amount of any assessment. If you need representation for such a dispute, you will need to retain counsel on your own. Please take note that there is a deadline for taking action to challenge the amount of an assessment.