Proposed new City of Tallahassee budget would result in an 8.69 percent average increase in property taxes
Tallahassee residents are about to see another increase in their property tax bills — not because City staff is proposing a millage rate hike this year, but because it doesn’t have to. Property values across the city have surged, and if the current rate of 4.45 mills holds, tax bills should increase by an average of 8.69%. That increase comes on top of last year’s decision to raise the millage rate from 4.10 to 4.45 — the first hike in seven years. In other words, this is a compounded increase, and residents are right to be concerned.
This year’s tax burden is driven not by new city policy, but by a changed economic landscape. A combination of inflationary pressures and reassessments has led to significantly higher property valuations. And while that may be a sign of a growing city, it also puts strain on homeowners, especially those on fixed incomes or just starting out.
State law gives cities the choice: hold the rate steady and collect more money, or roll back the rate so residents endure a smaller increase. With a projected increase of nearly 9% in taxable value, now is the time to do the latter.
It’s not that the city isn’t making good use of public funds. This year’s proposed budget shows investments in affordable housing, infrastructure, parks, and public safety. Long-deferred capital projects are moving forward, and the city is taking steps to improve transparency and financial resilience. Those are commendable efforts and should be applauded.
But there is also some contradiction – spending money on affordable housing program, then adding to the property tax bills of homeowners by an average of almost 9 percent is obviously counterintuitive.
Sound budgeting doesn’t mean maximizing revenue every time the market allows it. True fiscal responsibility is about balance — weighing the government’s needs against the capacity of its residents to fund them. In this case, a reasonable course of action would be to modestly reduce the millage rate to neutralize the spike in property values. Doing so wouldn’t threaten core services. It would simply give homeowners a break after two years of upward pressure.
The City Commission has an opportunity to show leadership and restraint. A full or partial rollback would send a powerful message: that Tallahassee’s leaders are listening, and that growth in revenue shouldn’t automatically mean growth in taxes.
As budget workshops and hearings approach, the Commission should take a close look at the numbers and ask not what is legal or permissible, but what is fair. An 8.69% increase in property taxes, following a millage hike last year, is too much for many residents to absorb.
This is a defining moment for our city’s fiscal identity. Are we a government that quietly lets tax bills rise through valuation? Or are we a community that takes pride in being proactive, responsive, and responsible with every dollar?
By adjusting the millage rate downward, the City Commission can protect the public’s trust while continuing to invest in Tallahassee’s future.