County maintains historic tax rate while saving taxpayers millions

In a recent government meeting, officials reported a significant growth in the net taxable base, which has reached $240 billion, marking a 4.5% increase from the previous year. This growth trend, however, has been declining over the past few years, dropping from 13% four years ago to the current rate. New construction contributed $6.1 billion to this taxable base, with residential properties accounting for $4.5 billion, commercial properties for $1.2 billion, and other categories for $440 million.

The meeting also addressed the impact of property tax protests, noting a decrease in the number of protests but a substantial increase in the taxable value lost due to these protests—$7.3 billion this year compared to $4.9 billion last year.

Commissioners discussed the upcoming decision regarding the county's tax rate, with a recommendation to maintain the current rate of 29.99 cents. If adopted, this would mark the 30th consecutive year without an increase in the property tax rate, a notable achievement compared to other local governments. The current rate is significantly lower than the 38.8 cents set in 1994, and maintaining it would technically qualify as a tax cut under state law, despite the minimal impact on taxpayers.

The officials highlighted that various initiatives, including a senior citizen tax freeze and a 20% homestead exemption, have cumulatively saved taxpayers over $2.5 billion since 1994. The budget summary presented at the meeting outlined expenditure categories, emphasizing the county's commitment to fiscal responsibility and taxpayer savings.