Nassau County Board of Commission Candidate addresses taxes - An opinion

February 11, 2016 1:30 p.m.

Property taxes are largely a transfer of wealth from those citizens that own businesses and homes to those that benefit from larger govt. Joe Zimmerman

There is currently a lot of information going around about taxes. In the

days ahead residents of Nassau County will have a chance to discuss, debate and decide how taxation and government services should be balanced. While some would call for more taxes and increased revenues for government, perhaps we should pause and take a moment to understand how taxes and growth in government really have a negative effect on all of us.

Joe Zimmerman Nassau County Commission Candidate District 5

Last year, for most property owners there was a rise in the property taxes paid to the county, the municipalities and the schools in part because there was an increase in the valuation of the property by the Property Appraiser's office.

The growth in revenues always means growth in government. This includes more government jobs and new demands for pay raises, among other expenditures. The average government worker in Nassau County makes about $54,000 while the average citizen in our largest industry (service) is working for just over $23,000 each year.

Property taxes are largely a transfer of wealth from those citizens that own businesses and homes to those that benefit from larger government. While government claims to struggle with their costs and "level of service" it pales in comparison to the struggle of the average Joe. A larger robust government means greater intrusion upon the lives of the citizens. There is no end to the mission of government to develop and grow.

Limited government is a principle that our founding fathers understood well and by design created a system that would seek to keep government at a minimum, allowing people more freedom to live their lives and spend their own hard-earned money.

Property taxes force some to pay the full freight while others get to benefit, and pay very little to nothing at all. Higher taxation provides a path towards a predictable steady stream of income that can be used to fund the goals of bigger government.

I am sure that the views of those bureaucrats are well intentioned and that they view their need for more money as a valid and reasonable demand in order to accomplish their mission. We hear how the claim to serve the "taxpayer" is always front and center, but when you take a closer look there is no hesitation in spending money on studies, cell phones, junkets and a host of other requests.

It takes real work to add value. Taxation only takes away the value that has been created by others. I suppose you could argue that increased values in property are created by government, but the truth is that real value is created by hard work. It is past time to rethink how we create a robust climate that allows for businesses to flourish and create jobs here in Nassau County.

Editor's Note: Joe Zimmerman served as a constituent liaison to Representative Janet Adkins in the Florida House of Representatives, is a local small business owner, and is a candidate for Nassau County Commission, District 5.