INDIAN ROCKS BEACH - When a question was raised some months ago about the tax appraisal status of the property at 2211 Gulf Boulevard, Mayor Bill Ockunzzi, owner of the property, sprang into action.
Although a couple of businesses exist at that address as well as his residence, the property was partially assessed as residential and commercial.
That was all straightened out in print after Ockunzzi, in an elaborate e-mail early in February, explained the whole situation, outraged that anyone would think that he would do anything that was not kosher.
Now it turns out that the very same property, 2211 Gulf Boulevard, is being billed as a residence for sewer and refuse collection services, despite the presence of two businesses at that location.
County policy says that for the purpose of utility bills, an establishment publicly displaying a commercial sign is regarded as a business site.
Ockunzzi lives at that address but it also offers bed and breakfast services to the public and an art studio. According to Ockunzzi, with approbation from the County Property Appraiser's Office, the property is "a mixed use facility" with 57 percent of the building homesteaded.
But according to official records, the fees for sewer and refuse collection at that address are on a residential rather than a commercial basis.
In an e-mail dated February 8, Ockunzzi elaborately explained that the art studio and the boarding house at 2211 Gulf Boulevard are "owned and operated under the auspices of Ockunzzi & Associates, Inc."
Further explanation describes Ockunzzi & Associates, Inc., as "the realtor/property manager and parent corporation of each."
That leads to further confusion because while "realtor/property manager" might be designed to have some high sounding official ring to it, the description is essentially meaningless other than saying what could be said in plain language - that the businesses are owned by Ockunzzi.
"Realtor" has no meaning other than describing a person who is a member of a local trade real estate board for those working in the field. The word "Realtor," actually a trademark term, is often confused in public view with some sort of official or legal quality.
And, of course, a person who is a member of a local real estate board, essentially a club for real estate brokers and sales persons, would perforce have to be a real estate broker or sales person. There is no indication that Ockunzzi is either.
As to "property manager," obviously anyone owning property is managing his or her own property.
What is amusing about the February 8 e-mail is the elaborate explanation of every possible facet of the business, rendered in the language bureaucrats love so well. (Which is why, no doubt, Ockunzzi has earned the affectionate nickname of "The Master Bureaucrat.")
However, there is no discussion or explanation in that e-mail of the billing category - residential or commercial - in regard to sewer or refuse collection fees.
