OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – Some residents living under the jurisdiction of Osceola County are now being informed that they will soon become part of St. Cloud, raising concerns about potential property tax increases.
Resident Martin Muniz, 65, who lives in Twin Lakes, expressed his worries about the financial implications of the annexation.
“Our property taxes are about $4,100,” he told News 6 while showing his two-bedroom house, which he recently put up for sale.
Muniz, who retired in Twin Lakes five years ago, is now finding it increasingly difficult to afford living there on a fixed income. He views the anticipated property tax increase as the final straw.
The annexation will affect major residential communities, including King’s Crest, Edgewater, and Twin Lakes. Residents can expect to pay approximately $800 more in property taxes, although the city assures them that they will benefit from faster emergency service response times.
The city council’s decision to annex nearly 1,000 acres and approximately 1,448 housing units was part of an agreement with developers.
In a news release, St. Cloud acknowledged that some residents opposed to the annexation were unaware of the encumbrance when purchasing their homes.
“They have no control over whether the developer or real estate agents disclose the encumbrance agreement,” the city stated.
Carol Platt, a Twin Lakes resident, expressed her dissatisfaction but noted that she was not surprised by the news. Having read all 84 pages of her closing documents when she moved in three years ago, she emphasized the importance of being informed.
“Oh, goodness. Read your documents. Ask questions and make sure that you’re given all the information. They call it due diligence for a reason,” Platt told News 6.
Reflecting on his situation, Muniz shared his emotional struggle: “I am sad to leave it because I put a lot of pride into it. But I feel like I’m getting pushed out. I’m getting squeezed.”
