The Alachua County Commission is pleased to announce the approval of the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Adopted Budget. Approved at their September 26 meeting, this balanced budget evolved from months of careful consideration, public input, and collaboration with County departments, Constitutional Officers, and other agencies.
In discussing the adopted budget, Chair Anna Prizzia said, “The Alachua County Commission is committed to providing the diverse services and programs that keep our residents safe and healthy and help make Alachua County a great place to live. We continue our efforts to lower the millage rate as we also respond to the impacts of inflation, the rising costs for goods and services, and the increased demands on county governments due to Florida’s population growth.”
The total budget projection is $757 million, which includes reserves, capital, state service contracts, non-exempt disbursements, and internal transfers. The total revenue projection to fund departments, programs, and services from all funding sources is $472 million. The General Fund revenue projection, which includes countywide property tax, is $296.6 million.
There is a reduction in the countywide property tax millage rate from 7.7662 mills to 7.6414 mills - a decrease of .1248 mills. This marks the seventh consecutive year that the Commission lowered the millage rate. Since FY17, the millage rate has been reduced by 1.2876 mills or 14.4%, going from 8.9290 mills in FY17 to the FY24 rate of 7.6414 mills.
The projected revenue for the Municipal Services Taxing Unit (MSTU) Law Enforcement is $29.8 million. The millage rate remains the same at 3.5678 mills.
Despite the decreased millage rate, taxes for most will increase due to property values rising by an average of 10.67%. The countywide property tax bill will increase by approximately 7.5%.
The FY24 Adopted Budget highlights:
$206 Million For Public Safety
Including funding to the Sheriff, Jail operations, Fire/Rescue, and diversion programs.
$33.2 Million From Wild Spaces Public Places (WSPP)
Including $13.3 million for land conservation, $11.7 million for roads, $4.9 million for affordable housing, and $3.3 million for parks
$20 million for road projects
$12.8 million in dedicated housing initiatives
Including affordable and workplace housing projects, home rehabilitation funding, and housing for people experiencing homelessness.
$34 million for the Facilities Master Plan
Including $20 million for the new animal shelter and funding to move the Fire Rescue Headquarters and the Emergency Operations Center into the recently purchased National Guard Armory site
Living Wage and Employee Retention
Including a $1 increase in the County Minimum Wage from $16 to $17 an hour. All employees will receive a 4% cost of living increase and are eligible for an up to 2% merit increase.
To avoid confusion about the total property tax levied by multiple taxing entities, below is information on how the Alachua County portion of the property tax bill compared with Florida’s other 67 counties.
- The countywide millage rate ranks 41st (1 being the lowest and 67 the highest).
- Statewide, the average resident pays $784 in property taxes. In Alachua County, the average is $613, making Alachua County the 31st property tax per capita in the state.
- Only 64% of Alachua County’s Assessed Property Value is on the tax rolls. The State average is 83%. Only 4 out of 67 counties have more property off the tax rolls. If the County had the state average for property on the tax rolls, the millage rate could be lowered from 7.6414 mills to 5.9237 mills and still raise the same revenue.
For more information, contact Alachua County Communications Director Mark Sexton at 352-264-6979.
