![From left are Santa Rosa County Property Appraiser Greg Brown and L.L "Bubba" Drinkard, a Pace Rotarian. [Special to the Press Gazette]](http://127.0.0.1/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/ghows-DA-57130f72-f838-0500-e053-0100007f3dcf-5388640f.jpeg)
PACE — The Pace Rotary Club speaker this week was Greg Brown, Santa Rosa County property appraiser and former Pace Rotarian.
The Santa Rosa County property appraiser reports to the Florida Department of Revenue. Brown is responsible for mapping and appraising all property located within the county for the purpose of assessing ad valorem taxes. These taxes are used for funding education and city and county budgets.
The property appraiser only sets property values. The city council or Board of County Commissioners sets the millage rates. The board bases rates on proposed annual budgets and expenditures the commission introduces at public hearings.
To determine a property owner’s payable taxes, first subtract the homestead exemption from the assessed value. Then multiply the result by the millage rate.
If the millage rates remain the same and property values rise, the net result is an increase in taxes.
The Santa Rosa County Property Appraisers Office created software it not only uses but also sells to other counties. The revenue this generates has been used to fund new field tablets and other supplies, resulting in an overall cost savings to the taxpayers.
Brown’s office has also developed software to allow online homestead exemptions filing. This program will result in another long-term cost savings to Santa Rosa County residents and will allow the redirection of employees for greater efficiency.
Pace Rotary meets 7 a.m. Thursdays, at Stonebrook Golf Club, 3200 Cobblestone Drive, Pace.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Pace Rotary Club learns about property taxes