Marion County adopts tentative millage rates and budgets after two-hour public hearing over rising property taxes

Marion County commissioners on Monday adopted tentative millage rates and tentative budgets for the countywide government and multiple special taxing districts after a public hearing in which scores of residents urged cuts or relief from rising property taxes.

Budget Director Audrey Fowler opened the hearing by reading a letter from Clerk of Court Gregory C. Harrell outlining the statutory requirements for the session under Section 200.065, Florida Statutes and noting that these are the first of two public hearings required before final adoption. The board adopted a countywide tentative budget of $1,119,303,974 and announced a total tentative countywide millage of 4.29 mills.

Why it matters: Hundreds of homeowners described steep increases in assessed values and tax bills during more than two hours of public comment, urging commissioners to cut spending or reduce millage. County officials and staff repeatedly noted limits set by state law on valuation and exemptions, explained how various revenue streams fund county programs and described reductions made since the June proposed budget.

Audrey Fowler, Marion County budget director, told the commission the tentative countywide budget includes the general fund, fine and forfeiture fund, county transportation maintenance fund, Marion County Health Unit Trust Fund and other countywide funds. She said the general fund increase over the rollback rate is 6.3% and described specific drivers: "$3,558,318 in personnel for sheriff jail operations, $3,205,143 in personnel for ambulance services and $7,809,756 for capital expenditures," figures she read into the record.

Property-appraiser office staff and the clerk answered multiple taxpayer questions about assessed values, homestead exemptions and programs that may limit annual increases.…