{"id":408738,"date":"2026-09-23T23:34:07","date_gmt":"2026-09-23T23:34:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/408738\/"},"modified":"2026-09-23T23:34:07","modified_gmt":"2026-09-23T23:34:07","slug":"leon-county-budget-approved-homeowners-face-higher-tax-bills","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/408738\/","title":{"rendered":"Leon County budget approved; homeowners face higher tax bills"},"content":{"rendered":"

NORTHWEST TALLAHASSEE, FL (WTXL) \u2014 Leon County commissioners approved a $420 million budget for the next fiscal year Tuesday<\/a>, a 4.8% increase<\/a> from the current fiscal year’s budget \u2014 and homeowners can expect to pay more in property taxes.<\/p>\n

WATCH FULL REPORT BELOW:<\/p>\n

Leon County approves new budget as rising property values push homeowners’ tax bills higher this year<\/p>\n

Commissioners did not vote to increase the tax rate.<\/p>\n

The overall county millage rate has stayed the same for 15 years.<\/p>\n

But because property values went up by about 5% county-wide, the county would see about $11 million more in revenue.<\/p>\n

County Administrator Vince Long said the additional revenue would go toward maintaining services during the meeting.<\/p>\n

“This increase will be used to support sustaining a high level of essential services county-wide,” Long said.<\/p>\n

The budget approval comes on the heels of Amendment Three<\/a>, which, if passed by voters, could raise homestead exemptions to eventually eliminate property taxes.<\/p>\n

According to county staff, the budget tries to account for a potential $71 million loss in revenue over two years.<\/p>\n

Commissioner at-large Carolyn Cummings addressed the possibility its budget workshop in June.<\/p>\n

“In the event that they do, I think these measures are putting us in a good position so that we can face um the reduction in taxes but still be able to have a certain amount of revenue so that we can um provide the essential services that our citizens of Leon County need,” Cummings said.<\/p>\n

Leon County resident Ann Bidlingmaier said she does not want to pay more but believes the county is caught between a rock and a hard place.<\/p>\n

“I think that the property tax increase is unfortunate. I wish it weren’t happening, but we don’t really have a choice in this county given the overall inflation,” Bidlingmaier said.<\/p>\n

Bidlingmaier also said she believes cuts can be made elsewhere across local governments.<\/p>\n

“I really see a disconnect there, and you know the average Joe works for a lot less than I think administrators could take a cut,” Bidlingmaier said.<\/p>\n

The county has already paused hiring for non-essential staff, as well as non-essential travel and training, among other budget adjustments.<\/p>\n

The budget goes into effect October 1st.<\/p>\n

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.<\/p>\n

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