Residents of Powell Road in Fort Worth, Florida, voiced their concerns during a recent government meeting, highlighting issues related to rising property taxes and local development. A long-time resident, who has lived in the area for 40 years, expressed frustration over the impact of new subdivisions on their property, citing flooding and increased traffic from construction vehicles.

The resident pointed out that their family pays over $35,000 annually in property taxes and argued that with the influx of new residents and rising property values, there should be a corresponding decrease in taxes for existing homeowners. They emphasized the need for the county to reassess its land ownership strategy, suggesting that selling off excess land could generate additional tax revenue and alleviate the financial burden on current residents.

Additionally, the resident praised the recent leadership of Commissioner Steve Chapman, noting that a business-minded approach could lead to more efficient management of county resources. They proposed that the county could save money by outsourcing services like lawn maintenance instead of maintaining a full-time staff for such tasks.

The meeting underscored the ongoing dialogue between residents and local officials regarding fiscal responsibility and community development, as residents seek solutions to balance growth with the needs of long-standing community members.