DeSantis delaying property tax payment deadline in counties impacted by Hurricane Ian

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By Chantelle Navarro and Sarah Wilson

Gov. Ron DeSantis said Thursday that he will sign an order delaying property tax payments for some Floridians impacted by Hurricane Ian.

DeSantis said the deadline extension will apply to the 26 counties designated by FEMA for disaster relief, which includes Brevard, Flagler, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole and Volusia counties.

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DeSantis said he signed the order a couple of hours ago, but it hasn’t been made public yet.

But if he’s going to try to get homeowners permanent relief, he’ll need the legislature’s OK.

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“We want to get things done as rapidly as possible,” DeSantis said.

Lawmakers will be called back to Tallahassee for a special session to consider rebates for homeowners.

“The reason we’re doing that is to give us time for the legislature to come in before the end of the year to provide rebates for homeowners and property owners,” DeSantis said.

Read: Volusia County, DEP officials host community meeting on emergency repairs following Hurricane Ian

It’s not yet clear how all of this will work, because property taxes are controlled by local governments.

The formal dates for the special session haven’t been set yet but DeSantis says lawmakers will be considering appropriations for areas destroyed by Ian, along with rebates for those who have lost everything.

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“There’s a lot going on. A lot of changes in peoples lives,” DeSantis said. “The last thing we want is someone loses their home then they get hit up for property taxes on a home that doesn’t exist anymore.”

Photos: Sanibel Island causeway washed out by Hurricane Ian reopens early The causeway washed out by Hurricane Ian that links Sanibel Island to the Florida mainland reopened with temporary repairs on Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced. (From the office of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis)

Photos: Sanibel Island causeway washed out by Hurricane Ian reopens early The causeway washed out by Hurricane Ian that links Sanibel Island to the Florida mainland reopened with temporary repairs on Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced. (From the office of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis)

Photos: Sanibel Island causeway washed out by Hurricane Ian reopens early The causeway washed out by Hurricane Ian that links Sanibel Island to the Florida mainland reopened with temporary repairs on Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced. (From the office of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis)

Photos: Sanibel Island causeway washed out by Hurricane Ian reopens early The causeway washed out by Hurricane Ian that links Sanibel Island to the Florida mainland reopened with temporary repairs on Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced. (From the office of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis)

Photos: Sanibel Island causeway washed out by Hurricane Ian reopens early The causeway washed out by Hurricane Ian that links Sanibel Island to the Florida mainland reopened with temporary repairs on Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced. (From the office of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis)

Photos: Sanibel Island causeway washed out by Hurricane Ian reopens early The causeway washed out by Hurricane Ian that links Sanibel Island to the Florida mainland reopened with temporary repairs on Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced. (From the office of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis)

Photos: Sanibel Island causeway washed out by Hurricane Ian reopens early The causeway washed out by Hurricane Ian that links Sanibel Island to the Florida mainland reopened with temporary repairs on Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced. (From the office of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis)

Photos: Sanibel Island causeway washed out by Hurricane Ian reopens early The causeway washed out by Hurricane Ian that links Sanibel Island to the Florida mainland reopened with temporary repairs on Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced. (From the office of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis)

Photos: Sanibel Island causeway washed out by Hurricane Ian reopens early The causeway washed out by Hurricane Ian that links Sanibel Island to the Florida mainland reopened with temporary repairs on Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced. (From the office of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis)

Photos: Sanibel Island causeway washed out by Hurricane Ian reopens early The causeway washed out by Hurricane Ian that links Sanibel Island to the Florida mainland reopened with temporary repairs on Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced. (From the office of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis)

Photos: Sanibel Island causeway washed out by Hurricane Ian reopens early The causeway washed out by Hurricane Ian that links Sanibel Island to the Florida mainland reopened with temporary repairs on Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced. (From the office of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis)

Photos: Sanibel Island causeway washed out by Hurricane Ian reopens early The causeway washed out by Hurricane Ian that links Sanibel Island to the Florida mainland reopened with temporary repairs on Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced. (From the office of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis)

Photos: Sanibel Island causeway washed out by Hurricane Ian reopens early The causeway washed out by Hurricane Ian that links Sanibel Island to the Florida mainland reopened with temporary repairs on Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced. (From the office of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis)

Photos: Sanibel Island causeway washed out by Hurricane Ian reopens early The causeway washed out by Hurricane Ian that links Sanibel Island to the Florida mainland reopened with temporary repairs on Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced. (From the office of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis)

Photos: Sanibel Island causeway washed out by Hurricane Ian reopens early The causeway washed out by Hurricane Ian that links Sanibel Island to the Florida mainland reopened with temporary repairs on Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced. (From the office of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis)

Photos: Sanibel Island causeway washed out by Hurricane Ian reopens early The causeway washed out by Hurricane Ian that links Sanibel Island to the Florida mainland reopened with temporary repairs on Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced. (From the office of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis)

Photos: Sanibel Island causeway washed out by Hurricane Ian reopens early The causeway washed out by Hurricane Ian that links Sanibel Island to the Florida mainland reopened with temporary repairs on Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced. (From the office of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis)

Photos: Sanibel Island causeway washed out by Hurricane Ian reopens early The causeway washed out by Hurricane Ian that links Sanibel Island to the Florida mainland reopened with temporary repairs on Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced. (From the office of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis)

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