Property Appraiser’s Duties
REAL PROPERTY APPRAISAL
The Property Appraiser does not determine property taxes. This is the responsibility of the
taxing authorities in Glades County. These include the Board of County Commissioners,
School Board, SouthWest Florida Water Management District, Port Labelle Community
Development District, Buckhead Ridge Mosquito Control District, and The City of Moore Haven
Municipality. The Property Appraiser is responsible for identifying the market value of property
in the county. In reality the market value is determined by the economy. Your Property
Appraiser estimates the market value of the property. This amount, less the cost of selling the
property, is the basis upon which the property is appraised.
The Glades County Property Appraiser's office uses nationally recognized appraisal systems
and a Computer Assisted Mass Appraisal (CAMA) system to gather, store and analyze the
large body of data necessary to arrive at a fair market value for each parcel of property in
Glades County. Actual sales prices of like properties in similar neighborhoods are a key
component of the data needed by the skilled and professionally trained personnel who assist
the Property Appraiser in analyzing the real estate marketplace and evaluating your property.
Florida law specifies that every property must be inspected at least once every five years. Staff
appraisers physically inspect the properties to determine any changes such as additions,
changes in condition etc. The results of the physical inspection are noted in the CAMA system
and are used in the annual calculation of the appraised value of the property.
MOBILE HOMES
Mobile homes which are permanently installed on property owned by the owner of the mobile
home are considered real property and are appraised using the same process as other
dwelling units. A ''Declaration of Mobile Home as Real Property'' form is obtained from the
Property Appraiser and filed with the Tax Collector who issues a permanent decal to be affixed
to the mobile home.
TANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY
The Property Appraiser is also responsible for appraising tangible personal property. Taxable
tangible personal property in the state of Florida includes machinery and equipment, furniture
and fixtures, business supplies on hand, equipment for lease, and leasehold improvements.
Also taxable are appliances and furniture in rental dwellings as well as mobile home
attachments.
EXEMPTIONS
Florida Law provides for certain exemptions to the fully appraised value of real property. The
most commonly known is Homestead exemption which deducts up to $50,000 from the
assessed value of real property thus lowering the basis upon which tax is calculated by the Tax
Collector. Other exemptions include religious, veteran, widow, disability, charitable and
education. All requests for exemptions must be filed no later than March 1 of any year.
MAPPING SERVICES
The Property Appraiser is responsible for a wide range of mapping services. Maintaining
current maps is a key part of the entire appraisal process. Your Property Appraiser's staff
exerts tremendous energy to ensure that changes in Glades County official records are
reflected in the County maps in a timely manner. Aerial maps flown by DOT or private
companies are provided to our office by the Department of Revenue about once every three
years.