St. Lucie County to decrease tax rate, but property taxes likely to go up for most people
ST. LUCIE COUNTY — The county has unveiled its initial budget and tax plans, which show property taxes going up for most property owners.
The county's tax rate is to go down to 8.0351 mills, down from 8.1045 last year, but that rate is projected to lead to an increase in taxes collected because of increased property values. It is the fifth consecutive reduction of the county rate.
The rate would exceed the roll-back rate — the rate that would bring in the same revenue as the previous year — by 6.52%.
For property owners in the unincorporated county, the county rate is expected to comprise about 48% of the overall tax bill, with other taxes going to the county, fire district, school district and other entities. For those in Port St. Lucie, the county will account for about 33% of the tax bill. For those in Fort Pierce it will be about 31%.
Property owners can see a full breakdown of their upcoming taxes on the TRIM — or Truth in Millage — notices mailed to property owners.
The budget, tentatively set at $795,924,132, is a $35,983,840 increase from the previous year, despite the millage reduction.
The budget and millage will require a second vote for final approval, schedule to take place Sept. 19.
Between the two meetings, the millage and budget can be reduced but cannot be increased, Commissioner Chris Dzadovsky explained.
Commissioner Jamie Fowler instructed county staff to take another look at the budget to determine if anything can be cut in order to further reduce the millage.
"I am going to ask that after this meeting we go back and we sit down with administration and we go through this one more time with a fine-toothed comb," Fowler said.
Fowler also noted that a potential way to reduce residents' tax burdens is on the ballot in November. Amendment 5 would increase homestead exemptions at the rate of inflation.
More: Fort Pierce preliminary tax rate same as last year; property taxes would go up for most
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That may not be the only way for St. Lucie County taxes to go down soon, Commission Chair Cathy Townsend said. The Legislature recently passed a local law specifically for St. Lucie County that caps the price medical providers can charge the county for procedures involving county-jail inmates. Townsend said that it could save about $8 million per year.
"I can't say a whole lot, but I do want to say ... that the $8 million is going to be shared back to the county. I can assure you that you'll see a decrease in your taxes moving forward," Townsend said.
It will be at least a year before the exact benefit will be known, Townsend said.
Wicker Perlis is TCPalm's Watchdog Reporter for St. Lucie County. You can reach him at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Property taxes are likely to go up for most, but help might be coming
