Polk County sets 2024 tax levy, directs $2.13 million insurance premium tax to police

The Polk County Board of Commissioners on June 12, 2024 approved a resolution setting the countywide tax levy for 2024 at 9.2112 mills with rollbacks of 2.3082 mills, producing a net levy of 6.9030 mills, and directed $2,127,077.16 in insurance premium tax revenue to the operation of the Polk County Police Department.

The measure passed unanimously. Commissioner Gary Martin moved the resolution and Commissioner Linda Liles seconded. Chairman Hal Floyd presided over the called meeting. County Manager Matt Denton explained the practical effect to property owners, saying the independent Board of Assessors adjusted base values this year and that setting the mill rate equal to the rollback should mean the average property owner does not see a tax increase, while the county still captures new growth such as new homes and additions. He noted that inflationary increases to the digest are not captured by the mill rate set at 6.9030.

The allocation directs the full $2,127,077.16 in insurance premium tax receipts to support police operations; the transcript records the allocation as part of the single resolution the board approved. No line-item breakdown for the police allocation was provided in the called meeting record. The transcript also records the board’s unanimous approval without additional debate.

The action followed standard procedure for a called meeting and was recorded in the meeting minutes. The commissioners subsequently voted to adopt the county’s Fiscal Year 2025 operating budgets and then adjourned.