APOPKA, Fla. – As new homes and apartment complexes continue to rise across Apopka, resident Demetric Curry said he has watched the city grow faster than the services and infrastructure supporting it.
“I don’t think it’s keeping up,” Curry said. “It’s really growing very, very quickly.”
Curry pointed to worsening traffic and increasing development as examples of the pressure growth is placing on the community.
Apopka’s own estimates show its population increased from 54,874 people in the 2020 Census to approximately 66,580 in April 2025—an increase of nearly 12,000 residents in about five years.
[PREVIOUS VIDEO: Apopka leaders weigh 32% property tax hike ahead of state deadline]
Now, city commissioners are considering whether homeowners should pay more as Apopka attempts to keep pace.
The commission is scheduled to meet at 5:15 p.m. Monday to set the city’s maximum proposed property-tax rate for the 2026-27 fiscal year.
The proposal would raise Apopka’s millage rate from 4.4376 mills to 5.1876 mills. That is an increase of 0.75 mills, or nearly 17% in the city’s property-tax rate.
One mill equals $1 in taxes for every $1,000 of taxable property value. Under the proposal, a homeowner would pay approximately $75 more annually for every $100,000 of City of Apopka taxable value, assuming that value remains unchanged.
That would amount to approximately:
- $150 more annually on $200,000 in taxable value
- $187.50 more annually on $250,000 in taxable value
- $225 more annually on $300,000 in taxable value
- $300 more annually on $400,000 in taxable value
The increase would apply only to the City of Apopka portion of a property owner’s bill. It does not mean a homeowner’s entire property-tax bill would rise by 17%.
While the proposed rate would increase by nearly 17%, the city projects its total property-tax revenue would rise by approximately 31.9%—from about $34.6 million in the current fiscal year to roughly $45.7 million next year. That increase reflects both the higher proposed rate and growth in the city’s taxable property base.
[PREVIOUS VIDEO: Apopka commission deadlocks on proposed property tax increase as budget deadline nears]
For Curry, whether the increase is justified depends on what residents would receive in return.
“I want to see actual improvement,” Curry said. “I want to see a much cleaner Apopka and just really overall progress. Show us what the actual funds would be used for.”
News 6 sent city leaders five questions, including what specific services, positions or projects the additional money would fund; what could be reduced under a lower rate; and why the city continues to face a budget gap as its population and tax base grow.
A city spokesperson responded: “We do not have a comment at this time.”
The spokesperson also directed future questions and requests through the Mayor’s Office.
The lack of detail leaves residents such as Curry weighing an increase without a clear public explanation of what additional services it would purchase or what residents could lose if commissioners select a lower rate.
Curry said he is not automatically opposed to paying more. He said his support would depend on whether the additional money produces visible improvements and makes Apopka better for the entire community.
“If it’s better for everybody, and it’s going to make the city overall a better place to live, then I would be for it,” Curry said.
Commissioners previously failed to agree on the proposed rate during a July 15 meeting. City staff initially presented a 1-mill increase before the proposal was reduced to 0.75 mills.
Monday’s decision will establish the maximum rate the city may consider through the remainder of the budget process. Commissioners may later lower the rate before adopting the final budget, but increasing it beyond the proposed maximum would require additional public notice.
For Curry, the final number matters—but so does whether Apopka can show taxpayers what they are getting for the higher price.