Recently, FLORIDA TODAY's representative appeared before a Special Magistrate in an attempt to lower their 2009 tax bill by seeking a 12.7 million dollar reduction in their 2009 property assessment as determined by Property Appraiser, Jim Ford. Ford’s office actively fought against such reduction and the case is currently in the hands of the Value Adjustment Board’s Special Magistrate.

Ford said that over the past 4 years, the newspaper has acquired additional equipment and machinery that has caused the property assessment to increase from $11,443,900 in 2005 to $20,018,259 in 2009. Ford is prepared to go to court if necessary to uphold the correct valuation his office placed on the property. [For video, see below.]

Ford also said the newspaper is probably wishing it had succeeded in getting its recommended candidate elected to the Office of Property Appraiser after their unending efforts to discredit his administration. Ford further said that it is unlikely that anyone will read about this situation in FLORIDA TODAY.