JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A property tax credit is being afforded Florida's military personnel who own homes and served overseas last year.  The only stipulation is the deployment must be connected to either Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom or New Dawn.

The Duval County Property Appraiser's Office has been been getting phone calls and taking information since the forms needed are not yet available.

The benefit of the tax break can be sizable since it is based on time out of country in 2010.

"If the service person was away for the entire year they can be exempt totally and not pay any property taxes," said Dana Clark who heads up exemptions at Duval Property Appraiser's Office.

The deadline to apply is June 1, but late applications are being accepted.

On Wednesday, May 18, 2011, the Duval County Public School Board began making recommendations to Superintendent Ed Pratt-Dannals for the 2011-2012 budget. The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association understands the school board is working with the best intentions and is in an unfortunate financial situation.

However, the American Heart Association is concerned increasing the class size in art, music, and PE would greatly reduce the quality of instruction.  In addition, it is possible afterschool sports and activities might be reduced or even eliminated and without afterschool transportation many students with working parents would be unable to participate. Students in the lowest family income brackets would be disproportionately impacted and we know these families are often vulnerable to both high rates of obesity and high dropout rates.