LEON COUNTY - Grant Program

Families of Leon County active military personnel are getting a helping hand from Leon County government. The Leon County Board of County Commissioners unanimously adopted a grant program that will provide financial assistance in the form of a grant for ad valorem property taxes to eligible Leon County residents.

"Families of deployed soldiers and other military men and women should not have to worry how their wives or husbands and children will make ends meet back at home," Chairman Grippa said. "I am honored to say that Leon County is the first local government to implement such a program and I thank the Board for its unwavering support of this initiative."

Leon County residents who are called to active duty in direct support of a named United States military conflict or national emergency declared by the President of the United States can apply for a grant equal to that portion of their Leon County ad valorem property taxes prorated for the amount of time the resident served on active duty. A prorated $600 grant is also available to qualified Leon County active military personnel who do not own property, including renters. Qualified Leon County property owners will receive $600 or the amount of their Leon County ad valorem tax bill, whichever is greater, prorated for the time served on active duty.

Commissioner Bob Rackleff proposed the $600 grant to include more than just homeowners. "It was important that we not forget about our military men and women who do not own homes in Leon County. Expanding the grant to include non-property owners creates a more equitable program, and will provide needed financial aid to service men and women who need it the most."

The Board also approved a $5,000 donation to HOOAH, the Family Support Group for local unit Company A 3/124th INF. The money is to be used for travel expenses of bereaving families. Commissioner Dan Winchester proposed the donation following the recent death of Robert Wise, a 21-year-old Florida National Guardsman from Tallahassee who was a member of Company A 3/124th INF. "The U.S. government only pays for immediate family members to attend the interment of a fallen soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington D.C.," said Commissioner Winchester. "Family members should not have to deal with this financial stress during this time of sadness."

The Big Bend Chapter of the Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA) expressed its appreciation of the Board's support and commitment to our local mobilized troops. Phillip Speake, President AUSA Big Bend Chapter said, "Chairman Grippa and the entire Board are to be congratulated for coming together unanimously to send a clear message to the Heroes and Heroines protecting our freedoms that we appreciate them and their families selfless sacrifices on our behalf. The Board’s action clearly shows this community cares."