Zephyrhills City Council agreed Monday to maintain the property tax rate of 6.25 mills for the 2023-24 fiscal year.
Council agreed to drop the tax rate last year to 6.25 mills and the upcoming budget will hold that rate steady thanks in part to new construction and increased property values. The millage will bring in $8,411,204 and increase of over $1.3million over last year
City Finance Director Ted Beason reported that increased growth in the city looks to give the city an increase of $102,166,785 in taxable value. The County Tax Assessor has determined the city’s total taxable value to be $1,345,792,668 which is an increase of $168,188,254 over last year. Of the $168,188,254 increase, $102,166,785 is attributed to new construction.
The city’s staff recommended that City Council set the tentative millage rate at 6.25 and set the date for the first public hearing as Sept. 12. at 6 p.m. The second public hearing will be scheduled for Sept. 25 at 6 p.m.
The final rate may be decreased from 6.25; however, the rate may not be adjusted upward without mailing each taxpayer a notice.
“I think it’s a good thing to keep the taxes steady and we’re going to be able to provide good service,” Council President Lance Smith said. “It’s nice to keep it low. We can provide more. Now you’re seeing more sidewalks and improvements to the parks.”
The largest complaint from most residents is the lagging infrastructure compared to the rapid growth.
“We’re trying to identify some of the hotspots that way we’ll have money in the budget to try to work on the traffic issues as well,” Smith said.