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Commissioner Rickman says board will pursue gradual millage-rate cuts as property values rise
Summary
At a public hearing on the proposed fiscal-year 2026 millage rate, Commissioner Rickman said the board intends to lower the millage rate over the next several years while warning homeowners that mailed estimates may not reflect final bills because of House Bill 581's treatment of homesteads.
Commissioner Rickman told residents the board plans to reduce the county millage rate over time rather than trying to adjust assessments in response to annual property-value changes.
"For years, we operated with low property values and a higher millage rate. We're trying to turn that strategy around ... and every year to drive the millage rate down," Rickman said, arguing that a lower millage is the better long-term budget strategy.
Rickman and other commissioners described limits on what the county can control. They noted that school board levies and other taxing authorities also affect homeowners' final tax bills, so a lower county millage does not automatically translate to a lower total bill for every taxpayer.
The board and staff also discussed uncertainty introduced by recent state legislation. Staff explained that House Bill 581 affects how homesteaded properties will be assessed for the coming year, and that some mailed estimates may be based on different values or include school M&O components, producing a "mixed bag" of outcomes for taxpayers.
Rickman urged patience, saying the millage reductions will be pursued over the next several years while property values stabilize, and encouraged residents with immediate concerns to contact county staff for clarification.
