Governor Crist Signs Order to Help Property Owners Affected by BP Spill
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
By: Nicole Creston

July 21, 2010 -- Governor Charlie Crist has signed an executive order aimed at helping property owners affected by the Gulf of Mexico oil spill seek compensation from BP. Crist acted Wednesday, a day after the Florida House adjourned a special session without voting on his request for a ballot proposal to ban offshore drilling in state waters.

Earlier this week, Escambia County Property Appraiser Chris Jones said the spill has slashed property values in his area. Escambia County includes Pensacola Beach, which was slick with oil just a few weeks ago. Cleanup efforts and favorable winds have restored the beach's pristine appearance, but Jones says property values remain damaged.

“Motels and vacation rentals are anywhere down from 25% to 50%,” explained Jones.

Unfortunately, Jones, along with appraisers in the other 25 affected counties, locked in their property assessments in January, before the spill.  That could mean property taxes that are substantially out of line with current property values. 

To address this problem, Governor Crist issued an executive order letting appraisers make new assessments. It’s up to the owners to get the process started, though.

“Each of the property owners who have been impacted would have the best evidence…then the property appraiser would be best equipped to make the assessment,” said Crist, as he announced the details of his executive order Wednesday.

Taxpayers can use that information to seek compensation for lost value, according to Crist. They also can claim rebates from BP for the difference between actual tax bills, based on January assessments, and new tax bill estimates using lower post-spill values.