Pasco County adopts tentative FY2026 budget, sets aggregate millage at 9.8683 mills

The Pasco County Board of County Commissioners adopted tentative millage rates and a tentative fiscal year 2026 budget at its first public hearing, setting an aggregate millage of 9.8683 mills and a tentative budget of $2,233,927,313 net of interfund transfers.

County staff told the board the aggregate millage as advertised on TRIM notices was 9.8683, a 1.37% increase above the aggregate rollback rate of 9.735 mills, and asked the board to adopt the tentative rates and budget by resolution. "The millage rates adopted tonight are the maximum allowed by Florida law without mailing each property owner an additional notice," the presenter said, noting the board could reduce rates at the final hearing on Sept. 16 but not increase them.

Why it matters: the tentative millage and budget set the maximum tax rates the county may levy before the final public hearing, and they control funding for public safety, parks, capital projects and utility enterprises. County staff described how the additional property valuation this year yields roughly $43.6 million in new general fund property-tax revenue, and said the money will be used in part for parks capital maintenance, renovation of the Hudson Library, operational support for an expanded detention center and county employee wage increases.

Key budget numbers and assumptions provided to the board included: total tentative budget net of interfund transfers $2,233,927,313; general fund tentative millage 7.4292 mills (the same as last year’s adopted rate; a 3.92% increase from the rollback rate); an 11.2% increase in taxable assessed value used in the general fund; and a five-year capital improvement plan totaling about $1.8 billion with the board only adopting the first year now.

Staff walked commissioners through reserve positions and constraints, saying countywide reserves hover around 20% when all fund types are included and the general fund reserve equates to about $65.9 million — roughly 47 days of operating expenses, short of the 60‑day best-practice target. "Our general fund is sitting at 12.7," the presenter said, adding the recommended target is 16.7% (60 days).

The board also reviewed and approved a series of municipal service taxing unit (MSTU) rates, debt-service millages for voter‑approved bonds, and fund-level details during the hearing. After public comment and discussion, the commission voted to adopt the tentative millage rates and the tentative budget and passed resolutions adopting both the levies and the budget by title.

Discussion and next steps: staff said any changes between this hearing and the final hearing on Sept. 16 will be posted in a memorandum for the commissioners. The final public hearing was scheduled by staff for Sept. 16, 2025, in New Port Richey. Staff also said utility rate decisions made earlier in the day (water utility rates) would be folded into the final budget package for that hearing.

Public comments during the hearing included requests about specific road repairs, questions about assessed values on TRIM notices, and concerns about fees charged by independent special districts. County staff and commissioners confirmed they would follow up with property-appraiser staff and with public works on site inspections where requested.

Ending: The tentative budget and rates adopted tonight establish the county’s starting point for final action; commissioners and staff said they expect additional adjustments and will present details at the Sept. 16 final public hearing.