The Lee County Florida commissioners voted earlier this week to leave the maximum county-wide property tax rate unchanged for next year. They could also vote to lower it at their budget hearings in September but cannot legally raise it under any circumstances. The rate for a typical resident of unincorporated Lee County will remain at about $5.34 for every $1,000 in taxable value.

It’s great news for many Lee County homeowners - especially those who don’t live in one of the dozens of special taxing districts. Those folks will still probably see some increase in their property taxes as many of their rates are headed up because of the property values drop (22.7%) this year. It also does not affect residents living in one of the many cities throughout the county. They will have to wait and see what those entities will do with their own tax rates.

Tags: SW Florida, taxes

According to a report from the Florida Association of Realtors (FAR), Florida is both a great place to live and work. Naturally, those of us who reside in the Sunshine State already know this to be true. But for many of the folks outside of our wonderful state who might be unaware, here are some interesting things to consider.

Business Climate:

• Florida is the fourth most populous state in the United States, with a large and diverse population.
• The state’s Legislature has made it a priority to not only encourage new businesses and industries to come to Florida, but to provide the kind of supportive climate that entrepreneurs and businesses need to succeed and prosper. Florida Among Top 5 States for Best Business Climate

Tags: Florida, living