August 15, 2025

Jacksonville Schools Navigate Property Tax Changes

News Summary

Jacksonville’s local governments are taking varied approaches to property tax rates, with the city council proposing a rate reduction while the Duval County School Board plans a marginal increase. This fiscal landscape brings mixed reactions from city leaders, highlighting the complexities of budget strategies as Jacksonville prepares for upcoming fiscal decisions.

Jacksonville is witnessing a unique fiscal landscape as local governments respond differently to the state of property taxes. While the Jacksonville City Council’s Finance Committee has taken steps to reduce the city’s millage rate, other entities within Duval County, including the Duval County School Board and beach cities, are opting to raise or maintain their tax rates for the upcoming fiscal year.

Following a vote on August 7, the Finance Committee proposed to reduce Jacksonville’s millage rate from approximately 11.3169 mills to about 11.19 mills. This change is set to decrease total property tax collections by an estimated $13 million. The proposed millage rate translates to about $11.32 per $1,000 of taxable property value for the year 2024. The full City Council is scheduled to make the final decision regarding the millage rate in September.

Finance Committee Chairman Raul Arias stated that the decision for tax relief was prompted by the city’s recent revenue growth, aiming to provide some financial relief for residents. The committee plans to consider this lower rate while preparing the budget for 2025-26, with a series of six hearings already arranged for discussions regarding this matter.

In stark contrast, the Duval County School Board has adopted a tentative property tax rate increase to 6.343 mills for the current year, marking a marginal increase of less than half a percent. While the final ratification of this millage rate is subject to a vote by the School Board, the ultimate permission lies with the state, which exerts significant authority over school funding strategies.

The three Beaches cities—Jacksonville Beach, Atlantic Beach, and Neptune Beach—have also decided to maintain their tax rates, with proposed rates set at 3.9947, 2.841, and 3.3656 mills respectively, the same as last year. Meanwhile, in Baldwin, the property tax rate supporting the local budget remains at 9.526 mills, which is juxtaposed with a proposal for an increase to 3 mills for the town’s rate.

City leaders have expressed differing views on the implications of these tax rate decisions. Mayor Donna Deegan has voiced concerns about the timing of the tax cuts, deeming it fiscally irresponsible given the city’s ongoing budgetary requirements. In contrast, Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia, who recently visited Jacksonville, characterized the millage cut as a positive development and encouraged the city to continue exploring opportunities for tax reductions.

Additionally, while the St. Johns River Water Management District and the Florida Inland Navigation District have retained their tax rates at last year’s low levels, the overall increase in property tax collections in Jacksonville has raised eyebrows among some officials. Duval County Property Appraiser Joyce Morgan expressed surprise at a state claim of a 57% increase in property tax collections since 2020, noting a lack of consultation regarding the figures reported.

Experts attribute the rising tax collections primarily to surging property values rather than changes in the city’s tax strategies. Residents can expect to receive their TRIM (Truth in Millage) notices indicating proposed tax amounts by August 15, 2025, providing insight into the anticipated fiscal year.

Overall, Jacksonville’s financial directions reflect contrasting priorities among different local governments, illustrating the complexities of taxation, budgeting, and public service funding in the region. As the City Council prepares for final decisions and future budgetary hearings, the implications of these tax strategies will be closely monitored by local constituents and stakeholders.

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Author: STAFF HERE JACKSONVILLE WRITER

The JACKSONVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREJacksonville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Jacksonville, Duval County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Riverside Arts Market, and World of Nations Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and JAXUSA Partnership, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and entertainment that power the local economy such as CSX Corporation, Baptist Health, and VyStar Credit Union. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.

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