Three years ago, I purchased my home at what I believed was a fair market price, confident in its value and the investment I was making. Each year, I have diligently upgraded my property, hoping to enhance its worth. Today, the harsh reality is that I can't even recoup what I originally paid, despite all the improvements. The new small properties being constructed en masse have not only affected quality but also significantly depreciated our property values.

In Marion County, despite the fact that property values are on the decline, taxes are unfairly rising. Why is this happening when they continue to build new homes, generating more tax revenue? The conversion of agricultural land to residential without proper infrastructure has caused a ripple effect, plummeting property values and overburdening our resources. The environmental cost is evident as acres of forests are leveled, and vast surfaces of concrete are laid down, which contributes negatively to our world's ecosystem.

Further exacerbating the problem is the unfair burden placed on homeowners 65 and over, particularly those on fixed incomes. Charging school taxes to this group, especially in retirement-focused communities like The Villages, is unreasonable and unsustainable. These individuals have contributed to the community for years, and it is unjust to further strain them financially.

We need Marion County to reconsider this tax increase and acknowledge the detrimental impacts on its residents. We urge local officials to drop the proposed tax hike and thoughtfully plan with consideration for environmental preservation and community welfare. We must stand together to demand fair taxation and responsible development.

Please sign this petition to ensure that our voices are heard and that responsible actions are taken for the well-being of current and future residents.