Lakeland landlord says property-assessment spikes drove property-tax bill from $25,000 to $43,000

Renee Madsen, a Lakeland resident who owns rental properties, told the City Commission during the budget hearing that a jump in assessed values sharply increased her tax bills, even though the commission is keeping the city millage rate flat.

"In 2021, with 15 properties, my property taxes were 25,000. In 2024, they were 43,000," Madsen said during the public-comment portion. She characterized the increase as "shocking" and said many of her properties are modest rentals where large rent increases are not feasible.

City staff responded that the city does not perform property appraisals. City Manager Sean Charles explained that the Polk County Property Appraiser sets taxable values and that homestead-exemption rules limit increases for owner-occupied homes; commercial and investment properties do not receive the same caps. Charles also described the formal appeal route: property owners can take valuation disputes to the property appraiser's office and, if necessary, to a special magistrate assigned to hear valuation appeals.

Why this matters

Madsen's comments illustrate a common tension in local finance: keeping the millage rate unchanged does not prevent higher tax bills when property assessments rise. Commissioners and staff acknowledged the distinction between the city's policy on millage and reserves, and the separate function of the property-appraiser's office in determining taxable value.

What the record shows

- Owner: Renee Madsen identified herself and described her portfolio and tax-bill change.
- City response: Staff noted the property-appraiser's role and outlined an appeal process that includes the property appraiser and a special magistrate.
- Budget context: Staff had told the commission that the proposed FY 2026 budget uses a 6.84% increase in taxable values provided by the property appraiser for revenue planning.

The commission did not take action in response to the public comment; the tentative millage and tentative budget measures had already been adopted earlier in the hearing and will return for a final hearing on Sept. 18, 2025.