District Board votes to reduce tax rate for 8th consecutive year

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PALATKA, Fla., July 14, 2020 — The St. Johns River Water Management District’s Governing Board Tuesday approved a tentative budget that reduces the millage rate for taxpayers for an 8th consecutive year while continuing to provide significant funds for programs and projects to ensure sustainable water resources, increase water conservation, enhance water supply and improve water quality in priority water bodies.

“We are pleased to keep District taxes low while making certain we continue to fulfill our missions of ensuring sustainable water supplies and protecting water quality,” said St. Johns River Water Management District Executive Director Dr. Ann Shortelle.

The tentative 0.2287 millage rate would result in nearly $90.8 million in revenue toward a total $242 million budget for fiscal year 2020‒2021, which begins Oct. 1, 2020. The budget is also funded through state, federal and other district sources (including timber sales, cattle leases, interest earnings, and permit fees).

The tentative millage rate, equal to the rolled back rate, adopted by the board is approximately 5.3 percent less than the current year’s tax rate.

Under a 0.2287 millage rate — 22.87 cents for every $1,000 of assessed property value — the owner of a $200,000 house with a $50,000 homestead exemption would pay $34.31 in the coming year in property taxes to the district.

Public hearings will be held at 5:05 p.m. Sept. 8 and 22. Final budget adoption will occur at the Sept. 22 Governing Board meeting.