SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – Seminole County leaders on Wednesday are set to discuss next year’s budget, which includes a property tax increase expected to generate about $27 million in additional revenue annually.
Just last month, the county raised its gas tax by 5 cents, and now it plans to raise property taxes for the first time in 16 years.
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In July, county commissioners made what they called a difficult decision to raise millage rates, saying they must either increase taxes or cut services. They voted 4-1 to approve the proposed property tax rate for the countywide general fund to 5.3571. It’s a 0.5 mill increase from the previous fiscal year of 4.8751.
“This government has been incurring the rising costs of everything for the last four to five years and has not passed that along. Well, those chickens come home to roost, and that chicken is now home,” Chairman Jay Zembower said in July.
Once the rate is finalized, the average homeowner would pay about $144 more each year, according to an example given during July’s meeting.
Homeowners shared their thoughts on the increase with News 6.
“It’d be bad for me because I’m on a fixed income. For me, every dollar counts,” Leon Oliver said.
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One woman, who did not want to be named, said she will attend Wednesday’s public hearing because she wants to have a say in how the money is spent.
“I don’t understand why (they’re raising it) yet. That’s why I want to go to the meeting and find out exactly why. They said for emergencies and a fire station. But they just built a fire station. So that’s what I’m wondering,” she said. “And we just have to pay, because if you don’t, then you lose your home, and we’ve been there 23 years, so I’m not going anywhere.”
The rate will not be finalized until the county completes the budget process.
The first of two public hearings to discuss the budget is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at the commissioners’ chambers in Sanford.