Avondale Estates board adopts 9.3-mill tax rate after public hearing on property-value scenarios

On June 30, 2026, the Avondale Estates Board of Mayor and Commissioners voted 4–1 to set the city’s 2026 property-tax millage at 9.3 mills after a public hearing on new valuation scenarios and potential appeals.

The decision followed a finance presentation showing a reported net digest of about $507 million and a Tax Allocation District (TAD) net value of roughly $61.5 million. Finance Director Tony Joe Howard told the board that, at the current 9.55 millage and using historical 2% appeal and 1.5% delinquency rates, projected general-fund property-tax collections would be roughly $4.23 million; a higher-appeal scenario (about 6–6.5%) could cut collections materially, staff said. "Ultimately you get to your net value of 507 million," Howard said in the presentation.

The public hearing drew a mix of residents and property owners. Lisa Shortell, a longtime resident, urged the board to maintain the higher rate, arguing that most growth and resulting tax increases are occurring inside the downtown TAD and that TAD funds are financing long-deferred infrastructure: "Most of the increase is in the district... this should be cause for celebration," Shortell said, adding that lowering the millage might delay projects and extend the TAD period.

By contrast, several commissioners and residents argued a modest rollback would be a tangible gesture to households. Commissioner Graham said a 0.25-mill reduction would provide relief while remaining manageable for the city’s budget. Commissioner Laida moved to set the millage at 9.3 mills; the motion was seconded by Commissioner Mike and passed by voice vote (recorded as 4 in favor, 1 opposed).

Staff and commissioners discussed the particular risk that recent commercial sales in the downtown—identified in the meeting as projects including Avalon Hedgewood, the Willis and the Jade—may generate appeals by new owners or their counsel claiming higher market values reflect construction or other adjustments. City staff noted that appeals by commercial properties inside the TAD would mainly reduce TAD receipts rather than the general-fund base, but could affect the timing of debt service and infrastructure commitments the DDA has already pledged.

The ordinance setting the 9.3-mill rate is effective for tax year 2026. The board also directed staff to continue monitoring appeals, collection rates, and the TAD commitment schedule and to report updates at future meetings.

The board moved next to consider sanitation and stormwater fees before adjourning the public portion of the meeting.