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Property appraiser projects modest growth, files FY25–26 budget with state
Summary
David Johnson, Seminole County property appraiser, presented a FY2025–26 budget submission to the board showing a roughly 4.5% expense increase driven by salary and insurance assumptions; he also reported continued homestead exemption file review and projected tax roll growth
David Johnson, Seminole County property appraiser, presented the office’s FY2025–26 budget framework to the Seminole County Board of County Commissioners and said his office submitted required budget schedules to the Florida Department of Revenue under statute 195.087. Johnson told commissioners his office modeled a 4.5% total budget increase (about $346,000) driven primarily by a 4% salary assumption and an 8% insurance increase, and that the office planned to maintain 48 full‑time equivalents.
Why it matters: the property appraiser’s office certifies the tax roll and informs taxing authorities’ revenue expectations; the Department of Revenue reviews and approves the property appraiser’s budget in June–August.
Key details: Johnson said the office’s recommended umbrella assumptions include current FRS rates as proposed by the Legislature and that the office continues a multi‑year homestead‑exemption file review with a third‑party vendor. He said the county’s homestead program produces mean savings of about $2,500 per homestead taxpayer and that the office proactively reviews files to ensure eligibility; in a recent three‑year review fewer than 1% of tested homesteads required further investigation.
Johnson also highlighted the office’s per‑capita operating cost: “our cost per capita … is about $15.61, which puts us the sixth lowest out of the 67 counties in the state.” He provided a good‑faith estimate of taxable roll growth of roughly 6%–6.75% for notice to taxing authorities due by June 1 and said the official estimate to the board will follow this week.
Board questions focused on commercial market dynamics and timing. Commissioner Andrea Herr asked Johnson to take credit for stable spending trends and to correct a chart label; Commissioner Dwari asked about Class A office occupancy and the broader market outlook; Johnson said office absorption will be gradual and that new investor interest depends on finance market conditions.
Next steps: Johnson reminded the board that the Department of Revenue will return tentative approval by July 15 and the office expects final approval in August. He said the office will continue list maintenance and homestead verification work as part of long‑range revenue reliability efforts.
