b"HEADS IN BEDSMEAN MONEY BACKIN YOUR POCKETNobody likes to pay taxesand I mean nobody. we average more than 300 events a year, nearly 10But dont blame my friend Joe Tedder at the tax But in Florida, were lucky enough to have visitorstimes as many events as most Florida counties.collectors office. It isnt his fault. leaveagoodportionoftheirmoneybehind,Combined, visitors to Polk County spent more thanFlorida, it seems, is just too great of a place to live. lessening the overall tax burden on Florida residents.$2.9 billion last year, which generated an economicFrom2020to2025,Floridaspopulationswelled Lets start with taxes we already dont pay that otherimpact of more $4.5 billion, a figure that has nearlyby more than 2 million new residentsand thats states are subject to. For example, one of the greatdoubled over the past five years. More than 41,000countingthefolkswholeft.Thatsnearlya10 things about living in the Sunshine State is that wePolk County jobs are supported through tourism,percent increase. That increase, in turn, put a strain dont pay personal income taxes. Compare that withspanningnearlyeverysector,fromhotelsandonhousingwhichhasmadethevalueofour California, where the rate could be more than 12restaurantstoretailworkers,truckdriversandhomes increase. When the value goes up, so does percent. Other states with high personal income taxplumbers.the tax burden. rates include Hawaii, at more than 11 percent, NewWHAT POLK COUNTY RESIDENTS GET And relief is needed. Floridians are struggling. We York and New Jersey, both at more than 10 percent,So, you ask yourself,what do these visitors bring tolead the nation in most financial distress categories, and Minnesota, where it is over 9 percent. Polk County?especially those who are either low income or on a And, compared to other states, our sales tax rate isWhen a tourist spends their money in Polk Countyfixed income. A recent survey found that a quarter fairly low. At 6 percent, were lower than Tennessee, for a meal, a trinket or a T-shirtresidents benefit.of the paycheck advances in Florida this past year Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and Texas.Tourism spending saves a Polk County householdwere used to buy groceries. And we havent even Now, Im not saying that property taxes dont makemore than $1,700 annually in taxes alone.mentioned the increase in cost for home insurance an impact on your familys budget. But comparedAdditionally,thankstotheTouristDevelopmentor health care. to New Jersey, with a property income tax rate ofTaxbetter known as the bed tax, which touristsButnoneofthosewillbesolvedbyeliminating 2.47 percent, or the Live-Free-or-Die state of NewpayduringovernightstaystheaveragePolkthe property tax in a state with one of the lightest Hampshire, with a 2.09 percent, even Wisconsin,County resident has access to world-class facilitiesoverall tax burdens in the nation. with a property tax rate of 1.85 percent doesnt looksuch as the AdventHealth Fieldhouse, Lake MyrtleAnd here in Polk, as in most of the state, in the end, so bad.SportsComplex,theRPFundingCenter,orthewell have lost more than wed gain. Meanwhile,theaverageimpactinthestateofrecently completed Chain of Lakes Park in WinterOr, as it says in Deuteronomy 25:4, Do not muzzle Floridais.8percent.Thatincludesthelowest,Haven. All were funded via bed taxes.an ox when it is treading out the grain. WaltonCounty,at.48percent,andthehighest,VICTIM OF OUR OWN SUCCESSGlades County, at 1.11 percent. Here in Polk, wereNow, Id be lying to you to say that I didnt let out anby MARK JACKSON With farms, ranches, gardens and more throughout its landscape, just off the median at .73 percent.audible gasp the last time I got my property tax bill.Sponsored by Visit Central FloridaWhy is Floridas overall rate so low?Central Floridas Polk County offers a true bounty of ingredients. In restaurants ranging from traditional American cuisine to modern Thank a tourist.Experience Polk County Like a Local!International fare, our Farm to Fork initiative empowers local POLKS TOURISM MARKET Enjoy exclusive discounts and insights with Visit Central Florida's passes forchefs to put them to their best use. To taste the results yourself, Beer, BBQ, local attractions, and more!Polk County thrives mainly through two types ofplan a trip at VisitCentralFlorida.com/FarmToFork.tourismthe leisure traveler and the sports traveler.https://visitcentralflorida.org/deals-and-passes/The leisure traveler is who we think of as a touristfolks from out of town to take in LEGOLAND Florida Resort, Bok Tower Gardens or other similar activities. The sports traveler is defined as an amateur and their family who are traveling to Polk County to participate in an eventsay a soccer tournament. This is a particular area where Polk County shines"