February 2024 Meeting Minutes

Meeting began 8:30am

Next Meeting: March 21, 2024

Members Present: 33

Announcements

• Account Balance Beginning January 2024: $14, 262.49

• Recurring Fees: $804.89

• Operating Expenses: $73.80

• Additional Costs: $164.00

• Donations:100.00

• Total Expenditures: $1,142.69

• Account Balance end of January 2024: $14,512.55

• Current Membership Total: 155 Members

• President Bill Blanken welcomed members to the morning meeting. He spoke about the importance of

collaboration between members as it is important benefit an association can provide its own members.

• Vice President Marion Gibson reminded the members that all new members are entitled to a t-shirt from

Fresh Prints of South Walton. The coupon is redeemable at Fresh Prints of South Walton at 15950 US 331

Business, Freeport FL. 32439.

New member presentations were made:

1. Judy Coelho with North Bay Mercantile

2. Judy Griffin with Coastal Villages Real Estate

3. Robyn and Ken Aites with Trifecta Training

4. Lisa Robertson with Quest Real Estate Services of Florida

5. Jamie Tutnjevic with The Yoga Garden of Santa Rosa Beach

6. Ted Shoop Realtor with e-PRO

7. Glen White with The Green Air Group LLC

8. Melissa Harbin with Dunlap and Shipman, PA

9. Denise Barao with Universal Countertop

10. Alecia Clagett with Peoples First Insurance Services LLC

11. Ferrin Campbell with Ferrin Campbell Construction LLC

12. April Cook with Morgan Container of NWFL, LLC

13. John Dorsey with Get Finished LLC

April Paden, a Pastor at Mosaic Church reported on the progress of the Mosaic Church in Freeport to be

completed September 2024. She also announced the “Start Up Party” that will be held on March 9th,

2024 at 4:00pm at the Hammock Bay Club House.

• Presentation made by Gary Gegor with Walton County Property Appraiser. He shared his experience to

include a Revenue Service Manager and an Appraiser with the Florida Department of Revenue.

The property appraiser is responsible for identifying, locating, and fairly valuing all property,

both real and person, within the county for tax purposes. The Property Appraiser has the legal

responsibility to appraise property every year. The Recapture Rule requires property appraisers

to annually increase assessed values on homestead properties who market values are greater

that last year’s assessed value by 3%. Gary discussed real property tax exemptions that included Homestead Exemption where an

application must be filed and they must have legal title or beneficial title in equity to real

property in the State of Florida and who in good faith makes the property his or her permanent

residence is eligible.

• A service member who receives a homestead exemption may receive an additional tax

exemption on the homestead property if they are deployed during the calendar year or active

duty outside the US

• Florida residents with a total and permanent disability are eligible for $5,000 Disability

Exemption. As required for totally and permanently disabled person must be currently certified

by a physician licensed in the state of Florida, or by the Social Security Administration to be

totally and permanently disabled.

• The Value Adjustment Board (VAB) rule on objection related to market values established by the

Property Appraiser. The VAB is an independent forum for property owners to appeal their

property value or a denial exemption, classification, or tax deferral.

• Currently in Walton County there are over 90,000 parcels. All properties in the county are

appraised every year.

• Each Tangible Personal Property (TPP) is eligible for an exemption up to $25,000 of assessed

value under Florida law.

• Introduction was made to Tom DeMonbrun who is a Commercial Department Supervisor of the

Walton County Property Appraiser Office.

Raffle prizes drawn.

Meeting commenced 9:30am