Alachua County manager proposes tax decrease for 2022

Jul. 2—During the first of many Alachua County budget meetings that will take place now through the end of September, Manager Michele Lieberman suggested a decreased millage rate for property owners.

One mill is equal to $1 for every $1,000 of taxable property. The county's current millage rate is 7.8935 mils, and the proposed 2022 rate is 7.8662, a decrease of 0.0273 mils.

At the proposed rate, the owner of a $250,000 home, after claiming a $50,000 homestead exemption, would owe about $1,573 in county taxes.

This year would be the fifth consecutive year the county has decreased the millage rate as property values generally rise. The proposed millage rate is still expected to generate more revenue for the county because property values are rising more rapidly.

"Thanks to our prudent and responsible financial planning, we can implement this decision while continuing to provide the same level of excellent programs and services," Lieberman said.

The commission will set its tentative millage rates at its July 13 meeting.

The county's property values are expected to rise for the seventh straight year, though an official assessment from the property appraiser's office is not yet available. Preliminary values from 2020 showed an increase of 6.5% compared with property values in 2019.

County budget officials expect another increase of more than 6% in the 2021 evaluation.

Most residential property owners are protected by the homestead exemption that caps increases in tax bills at 3% per year.

Fiscal year 2022, which begins in October and runs through September 2023, has a tentative budget of more than $564 million. Commissioners approved a $486 million budget in 2021. Another $52 million in federal American Rescue Plan funding is not included in the budget.

Some of Alachua County's priority projects for the next fiscal year include increasing its employees' minimum wage from $14.50 to $15 per hour, completing the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences extension office and implementing an Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

Long-term goals include reducing the jail population, reducing poverty through diverse economic opportunities and addressing backlogs in road repairs.

— Emily Mavrakis reports on business and Alachua County government. She can be reached by email at emavrakis@gvillesun.com and on Twitter @emmavrakis.

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