Understanding TRIM Notices: What Alachua County Government Actually Charges

​​TRIM notices include taxes and assessments from several different taxing authorities. Alachua County government is not responsible for the entire tax bill.

The actual 2026 TRIM notice shown below is for a homesteaded property in unincorporated Alachua County.

The County General line at the top is the only countywide property tax charged by Alachua County government. Every taxable property owner in the county pays this tax.

The county's 2025 millage rate was 7.6000 mills. For 2026, the County Commission has proposed the rollback rate of 7.2107 mills. This marks the 10th consecutive year the County Commission has lowered the countywide millage rate.

For this property, even though the taxable value increased by nearly $7,000, the County General property tax decreased from $1,754.79 to $1,714.76 - a reduction of $40.03.

Some property owners also pay additional County taxes and assessments based on where they live and the services they receive.

This property is in the Law Enforcement Municipal Services Taxing Unit (MSTU) area. The proposed millage rate remains 3.5678 mills. Because the property's taxable value increased, the tax rose from $823.78 to $848.45 - an increase of $24.67.

The property's county fire, solid waste and stormwater assessments increase from $916.84 to $938.68 - an increase of $21.84 due to the Taxable Value increase.

Put it all together:

County General: -$40.03
Law Enforcement MSTU: +$24.67
County assessments: +$21.84

Net increase attributable to Alachua County government: $6.48.

By comparison, the entire TRIM notice increases by $84.93, from $5,461.25 to $5,546.18. The remaining $78.45 in increases comes from other taxing authorities and districts listed on the notice, not from Alachua County government.

That comparison is important because it addresses a common misconception: "My tax bill went up $85, therefore the county raised my taxes $85." On this actual notice, the county-related increase is $6.48. ​

TRIM notices for properties inside municipalities will also include taxes and assessments imposed by those municipalities. In the City of Gainesville, the TRIM notice also includes certain charges that previously appeared on monthly GRU bills. Those municipal taxes, assessments, and fees are not set or controlled by the Alachua County government.

For more information, contact Alachua County Communications Director Mark Sexton at 352-283-2317 or [email protected].

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