Didn’t the Governor issue an Executive Order regarding assessment of properties affected by the oil spill?
Today, Governor Crist issued Executive Order 10-169, which authorizes (but does not require) Property Appraisers in the 26 counties in which he has declared a state of emergency to provide “interim assessments” of any properties that may have suffered a loss in value due to the oil spill. These interim assessments will not affect the property owners’ tax bills. Rather, the purpose of the interim assessments would be to assist property owners with documenting the loss in value to their property so as to help substantiate their claims submitted to BP. I am sure that the Property Appraisers are going to be a bit surprised by this Order, as it is generally not their constitutional duty to serve as expert witnesses in their constituents’ private lawsuits. Also, as the Order is not mandatory, many property appraisers may choose not to provide this extra valuation service. Thus, rather than relying on the county Property Appraisers to assist them with their claims, property owners would be wi
