Patrick Krechowski Presented at 46th Annual Local Government Law in Florida Conference

Patrick Krechowski, partner in the firm’s Jacksonville office and member of the Real Estate Practice, presented at the 46th Annual Local Government Law in Florida Conference, sponsored by The Florida Bar’s City, County & Local Government Law Section. The conference was on April 28-29, 2023 in Palm Coast, Florida. 

Patrick’s presentation titled, “Government Leasing, Public Purpose and Property Taxes.” As County Property Appraisers in Florida take a closer look at municipal ad valorem tax exemptions, Patrick examined the constitutional provisions that give rise to the exemptions and the criteria that may jeopardize such exemptions. 

The discussion focused on the recent oral arguments presented to the Florida Supreme Court in the City of Gulf Breeze v. Brown case which appeals a decision of the First District Court of Appeal vacating the tax exempt status of a municipally owned golf course.

Patrick has over 20 years of experience in real estate, land use, environmental, governmental, administrative litigation, appeals and title insurance law. Patrick is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in City, County and Local Government Law. His practice focuses on all aspects of zoning and land use law, real estate due diligence, environmental permitting (including sovereign submerged lands and riparian rights), environmental remediation, water use permitting and planning, beach nourishment projects, coastal construction and due diligence before local governments and federal/state agencies, including associated administrative and civil litigation.

Patrick has represented various state agency boards and local governments, including serving as the City Attorney for Neptune Beach, Florida and as Port Attorney for the Ocean Highway & Port Authority, Nassau County, Florida. This experience not only allows him to assist local governments with virtually any aspect of their operations, it also gives Patrick a unique insight into how best to navigate challenges that his private clients often encounter in seeking local and state approvals for their real estate projects.