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Leon County previews fiscally conservative FY26 budget as state cuts shave $1.5 million from shared revenues
Summary
County staff presented a preliminary, balanced FY26 budget that relies on a 7.65% preliminary rise in property values to cover inflationary costs and service priorities while warning of at least $1.5 million in reduced state shared revenues and $600,000 in higher Medicaid costs.
County Administrator Vince opened the Leon County Board of County Commissioners’ workshop with a presentation of a preliminarily balanced FY26 budget and a warning about ongoing legislative and economic uncertainty.
The preliminary budget relies on a June 1 property-appraiser estimate that shows a 7.65% increase in taxable values, which county staff said would yield roughly $15 million in additional property-tax revenue. Staff said the overall preliminary FY26 county budget totals about $404 million and that general-revenue growth for next year is projected at roughly $16 million.
County staff emphasized that the current balanced plan assumes a $15 million increase from property values to maintain service levels, support capital projects and fund board priorities including affordable housing and homelessness programs. But they urged caution: staff told commissioners the legislature’s recent repeal of the business-rental tax and other changes will reduce the county’s state-shared receipts by about $1.5 million (the county first calculated a $1 million decline and later adjusted that figure after the legislative changes). Staff also told commissioners Medicaid cost-sharing increases will add about $600,000 to mandated county payments next year.
The preliminary plan holds the county’s millage rate steady for the 14th consecutive year, proposes no general-revenue new positions other than one county-attorney position funded with existing resources, and includes funding for 10 planned EMS positions that staff said would be paid from dedicated EMS revenues. The plan also includes a recommended FY26 capital improvement program of about $31 million and identifies $3.4 million in internal cost avoidance and savings found during budget development.
Because state-level proposals remain fluid, staff asked the board for direction on several contingency options, including whether to hire a consultant to examine revenue diversification options (listed in the agenda as option 8). County staff said the consultant would study alternative revenue sources allowed under Florida law and outline strategies to reduce reliance on property taxes should state-level changes move forward.
“Development of the annual budget is not something we engage in once a year,” the county administrator said during his overview. “This year the legislature actively pursued tax reform, which will have significant impacts on the county budget. We’re paying very close attention.”
The board approved staff’s set of recommendations for item 1—motions covering staff options 2 through 8—by voice vote, with Commissioner Maddox recusing himself from option 1 because of a stated conflict. The board’s approval advanced the preliminarily balanced plan and the contingency options for later ratification if needed.
Why this matters: The budget sets service levels for next year, funds capital work and programs such as affordable housing, and frames how the county will respond if the legislature enacts property-tax or revenue changes that shift costs to local government.
Looking ahead: staff said final property values will be delivered July 1; the board scheduled a ratification item for its July meeting and will adopt the millage and budget hearings in September.
