Do you ever wonder what the water management district does with its portion of your annual property (ad valorem) tax? You can find out by attending two upcoming public hearings on the Suwannee River Water Management District’s FY 2004-05 budget.



The first public hearing will begin promptly at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 14. The final public hearing will be at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 28. Both hearings will be held at District headquarters, at the intersection of US 90 and CR 49 in Live Oak.



For the 15th consecutive year, there will be no increase in the ad valorem tax millage rate, and no increase in fulltime staff positions. The millage rate remains at .4914 mills, which means that an individual with a home valued at $100,000 will pay around $36 in taxes to the District, and an individual whose home is valued at $50,000 will pay around $12.



If a property owner notices an increase (or decrease) in his or her tax bill over last year, it’s because the assessed value of the property has increased or decreased, and not because the tax rate went up.



“Most people just don’t realize how much they receive for that twelve or thirty-six dollars,” says Joe Flanagan, District director of administration. “We have stormwater projects (to help control street flooding) underway in seven cities, and water supply projects underway in five cities. We’re helping our counties update their FEMA flood maps. We have restoration and improvement projects going on at many of our public springs, and we’re working with farmers on nutrient-management programs.



“We have monitoring stations that measure water quality throughout the District, and gauges that measure rainfall and river levels. During heavy rains and floods, the public is able to get up-to-date river level information on our toll-free phone line and automated web site,” Flanagan adds.



In addition, the District purchases and manages lands that are open to the public for hiking, fishing, birding, biking, horseback riding, and hunting. The agency has played a key role in the development of the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail, which will provide both recreational and economic opportunities along the Suwannee River corridor.



The District restores wetlands such as Mallory Swamp and San Felasco to their natural state, and protects places such as Santa Fe Swamp by conducting prescribed burns that help prevent wildfires.



Says Flanagan, “We hope that when people discover the scope of all we do and the services we provide that benefit them either directly or indirectly, they’ll see their tax contribution as money well spent.”



For more information call 386-362-1001 or toll-free 800-226-1066 (Florida only), or visit www.mysuwanneeriver.com