2006 Copyright Tom Henning
All rights reserved
All rights reserved
Collier County Commissioner, District 3
Tom Henning is a 30-year resident of Collier County and a graduate of Lely High School. Commissioner Henning is currently married with two sons and owned/operated an independent local business for 20 years. Commissioner Henning sold the business in 2003 to devote himself full-time to his Commissioner's duties.
Commissioner Henning was a member of the Golden Gate Chamber of Commerce for 15 years, serving 13 of those years on the Board of Directors. He is currently a member of the Golden Gate Civic Association Board of Directors and has served as both president and vice-president of this organization in the past.
Commissioner Henning served as an elected Fire Commissioner for the Golden Gate Fire & Rescue District for 4 years. He also served on the Solid Waste Site Selection Committee, the Golden Gate Community Center Advisory Board, and is currently the Commission Liaison to the Community Character/Smart Growth Advisory Committee.
Commissioner Henning, voted by his fellow Commissioners, served as Vice-Chairman of the BCC in 2002 and Chairman in 2003. During those years, Commissioner Henning served on the Elections Canvassing Board, Chaired the Tourist Development Council, and participated in the Collier County Productivity Committee. Currently, Commissioner Henning is serving on the Metropolitan Planning Organization and the Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council.
Commissioner Henning stands tall and firm on the following issues:
- A taxpayer, who receives a benefit, should pay for the benefit.
- Environment is important; approximately 78% of Collier County land is in preserve and will forever remain that way.
- Property rights.
- Community Character.
- Less government is manageable.
- The community reviewing the alternative intersection improvements at Golden Gate Parkway and Airport Road.
A message from Commissioner Henning:
"As a longtime resident and community activist in Collier County, I have seen the many, important changes over the years. I feel that I have a strong background and extensive knowledge about the best direction for the Collier County community, for the residents' and the development. I keep involved with my constituents through telephone calls, meetings, and emails. I am always available to assist my community. I am proud to be part of the current Board of County Commissioners that lead Collier County."
LATEST NEWS
Government's Fuzzy Math
By Commissioner Tom Henning, District 3
By Commissioner Tom Henning, District 3
In a recent published newsletter, it is stated "Collier County government alone will struggle to balance a budget that will have lost just under $85 million in revenue in less than 2 years". This statement is not true and government has lost its way once it believes that your money belongs to them.
The fact is that the County collected $54 million more in property tax in 2007 than it did in 2006. This budget year (2008), the County reduced $44 million in property taxes.
On January 29, 2008, the voters in Florida will be asked if the present form of property taxation shall be changed. Following are brief descriptions of the proposed changes to the State Constitution relating to property taxation.
With respect to homestead property, this revision: (1) increases the homestead exemption except for school district taxes and (2) allows homestead property owners to transfer up to $500,000 of their Save-Our-Homes benefits to their next homestead. With respect to non-homestead property, this revision (3) provides a $25,000 exemption for tangible personal property and (4) limits assessment increases for specified non-homestead real property except for school district taxes.Furthermore, this revision:
(1) Increases the homestead exemption by exempting the assessed value between $50,000 and $75,000. This exemption does not apply to school district taxes. (2) Provides for the transfer of accumulated Save-Our-Homes benefits. Homestead property owners will be able to transfer their Save-Our-Homes benefit to a new homestead within 1 year and not more than 2 years after relinquishing their previous homestead; except, if this revision is approved by the electors in January of 2008 and if the new homestead is established on January 1, 2008, the previous homestead must have been relinquished in 2007. If the new homestead has a higher just value than the previous one, the accumulated benefit can be transferred; if the new homestead has a lower just value, the amount of benefit transferred will be reduced. The transferred benefit may not exceed $500,000. This provision applies to all taxes. (3) Authorizes an exemption from property taxes of $25,000 of assessed value of tangible personal property. This provision applies to all taxes. (4) Limits the assessment increases for specified non-homestead real property to 10 percent each year. Property will be assessed at just value following an improvement, as defined by general law, and may be assessed at just value following a change of ownership or control if provided by general law. This limitation does not apply to school district taxes. This limitation is repealed effective January 1, 2019, unless renewed by a vote of the electors in the general election held in 2018. Additionally, the revision includes:
a. Repeals obsolete language on the homestead exemption when it was less than $25,000 and did not apply uniformly to property taxes levied by all local governments. b. Provides for homestead exemptions to be repealed if a future constitutional amendment provides for assessment of homesteads "at less than just value" rather than as currently provided "at a specified percentage" of just value. c. Schedules the changes to take effect upon approval by the electors and operate retroactively to January 1, 2008, if approved in a special election held on January 29, 2008, or to take effect January 1, 2009, if approved in the general election held in November of 2008. The limitation on annual assessment increases for specified real property shall first apply to the 2009 tax roll if this revision is approved in a special election held on January 29, 2008, or shall first apply to the 2010 tax roll if this revision is approved in the general election held in November of 2008.
It's important you send your message to government on how you want to be taxed and who you trust to spend your money. VOTE!!!!
The fact is that the County collected $54 million more in property tax in 2007 than it did in 2006. This budget year (2008), the County reduced $44 million in property taxes.
On January 29, 2008, the voters in Florida will be asked if the present form of property taxation shall be changed. Following are brief descriptions of the proposed changes to the State Constitution relating to property taxation.
With respect to homestead property, this revision: (1) increases the homestead exemption except for school district taxes and (2) allows homestead property owners to transfer up to $500,000 of their Save-Our-Homes benefits to their next homestead. With respect to non-homestead property, this revision (3) provides a $25,000 exemption for tangible personal property and (4) limits assessment increases for specified non-homestead real property except for school district taxes.Furthermore, this revision:
(1) Increases the homestead exemption by exempting the assessed value between $50,000 and $75,000. This exemption does not apply to school district taxes. (2) Provides for the transfer of accumulated Save-Our-Homes benefits. Homestead property owners will be able to transfer their Save-Our-Homes benefit to a new homestead within 1 year and not more than 2 years after relinquishing their previous homestead; except, if this revision is approved by the electors in January of 2008 and if the new homestead is established on January 1, 2008, the previous homestead must have been relinquished in 2007. If the new homestead has a higher just value than the previous one, the accumulated benefit can be transferred; if the new homestead has a lower just value, the amount of benefit transferred will be reduced. The transferred benefit may not exceed $500,000. This provision applies to all taxes. (3) Authorizes an exemption from property taxes of $25,000 of assessed value of tangible personal property. This provision applies to all taxes. (4) Limits the assessment increases for specified non-homestead real property to 10 percent each year. Property will be assessed at just value following an improvement, as defined by general law, and may be assessed at just value following a change of ownership or control if provided by general law. This limitation does not apply to school district taxes. This limitation is repealed effective January 1, 2019, unless renewed by a vote of the electors in the general election held in 2018. Additionally, the revision includes:
a. Repeals obsolete language on the homestead exemption when it was less than $25,000 and did not apply uniformly to property taxes levied by all local governments. b. Provides for homestead exemptions to be repealed if a future constitutional amendment provides for assessment of homesteads "at less than just value" rather than as currently provided "at a specified percentage" of just value. c. Schedules the changes to take effect upon approval by the electors and operate retroactively to January 1, 2008, if approved in a special election held on January 29, 2008, or to take effect January 1, 2009, if approved in the general election held in November of 2008. The limitation on annual assessment increases for specified real property shall first apply to the 2009 tax roll if this revision is approved in a special election held on January 29, 2008, or shall first apply to the 2010 tax roll if this revision is approved in the general election held in November of 2008.
It's important you send your message to government on how you want to be taxed and who you trust to spend your money. VOTE!!!!