County Adopts FY27 Budget at Rollback Rate, Marks 10th Straight Millage Reduction

​At its Sept. 22 meeting, the Alachua County Commission adopted its Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) budget, setting the property tax rate at the rollback rate while continuing significant investments in the services and programs residents value. The total from all sources that make up the General Fund is approximately $327 million.

The commission adopted a countywide property tax rollback millage rate of 7.2107 mills for FY27, down from 7.6000 mills last year. The rate is expected to generate approximately $184 million.

The countywide rollback rate is calculated to generate approximately the same property tax revenue from existing taxable property as the previous year. This is the third time in the last 10 years that the commission has adopted the rollback rate, and it marks the 10th consecutive year the commission has reduced the countywide General Fund millage rate. Over that decade, the rate has fallen from 8.9290 mills in FY17 to 7.2107 mills in FY27, a reduction of 1.7183 mills, or 19.24%.

The Municipal Services Taxing Unit (MSTU) for law enforcement remains unchanged at 3.5678 mills and is expected to generate approximately $37 million.

Fire Services, Solid Waste and Stormwater fees are expected to generate approximately $24 million, $13 million and $3.6 million, respectively.

"A budget is ultimately about people," said Commission Chair Ken Cornell. "We know families are feeling the strain of rising costs, and we take seriously our responsibility to respect and consider every tax dollar. At the same time, people count on us for safe neighborhoods, emergency services, road maintenance, parks, natural resources and social services. This budget reflects our commitment to finding the right balance for our taxpayers and our community."

Property taxes in perspective

County government property taxes averaged $761 per capita in Alachua County, compared with a statewide average of $991 per capita, ranking Alachua County the 32nd-lowest among Florida counties.

Alachua County also has an unusually large share of property value that is not taxable. For FY27, taxable value represents 68.34% of assessed value, compared with 83.88% statewide, the eighth-lowest percentage among Florida counties.

Alachua County has approximately $39.2 billion in assessed value and $26.8 billion in taxable value. If the county's taxable value represented approximately the same percentage of assessed value as the statewide average, the General Fund millage rate could be approximately 5.8560 mills rather than 7.2107 mills while generating the same General Fund property tax revenue.

Key budget priorities

$252 million for public safety

Keeping residents safe remains one of the commission's most important responsibilities. The budget includes $152 million for the Sheriff and $77 million for Alachua County Fire Rescue, along with funding for other public safety programs and services.

Those investments support law enforcement, fire protection, emergency medical response and other services residents depend on during some of the most difficult and vulnerable moments in their lives.

$106 million for transportation

The FY27 budget continues the commission's major investment in transportation infrastructure, reflecting the community's longstanding call for better roads.

Transportation funding comes from several sources, including the voter-approved infrastructure surtax, gas taxes, communications services taxes, impact fees, grants and other dedicated revenues. Together, those investments allow the county to continue its long-term effort to repair, rehabilitate and improve its transportation network.

$133 million for county operations

Funding available for direct county operations includes $37 million for the physical plant, $21 million for general county operations, $16 million for housing and community support services, $13 million for parks, environmental programs and land conservation, $11 million for Court Services, $6 million for planning and economic development, and $5 million for Animal Resources.

"The FY27 budget respects the taxpayers who fund county government and protects the services, programs and places that make Alachua County a strong, vibrant and caring community," said County Manager Michele Lieberman.

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

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