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Proposed FY 25-26 Millage
The Seminole County Board of County Commissioners is considering a 0.5 mill increase to sustain essential services. This would be the first General Fund millage rate adjustment in 16 years. The adjustment helps fund:
- Public safety and emergency medical services
- 911 communications
- Road and infrastructure maintenance
- Mandated services required by the State
To reduce pressure on the budget, Seminole County has taken meaningful steps to cut internal costs. All County departments were directed to submit flat or reduced budgets, resulting in the elimination of 10 vacant positions and the deferral of over $25 million in capital projects. A Countywide efficiency initiative, known as Seminal Moments, identified savings totaling $5.4 million in FY26 and more than $39 million over five years.
The table below shows each County department and constitutional office, along with the percent change in their FY26 budget request and contact information for follow-up.
| Name | Percent Change (FY26 Request) | Contact Number | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clerk of the Court | 6.10% | (407) 665-4300 | Constitutional Office |
| Property Appraiser | 4.60% | (407) 665-7506 | Constitutional Office |
| Sheriff's Office | 8.50% | (407) 665-6650 | Constitutional Office |
| Supervisor of Elections | 14.40% | (407) 585-8683 | Constitutional Office |
| Tax Collector | 5.20% (INCREASE BASED ON FORMULA) | (407) 665-1000 | Constitutional Office |
| Administration Department | -4.20% | (407) 665-0000 | County Department |
| Administrative Services | -2.50% | (407) 665-0000 | County Department |
| Community Services | -1.80% | (407) 665-0000 | County Department |
| Development Services | -15.30% | (407) 665-0000 | County Department |
| Emergency Management | -0.20% | (407) 665-0000 | County Department |
| Environmental Services | -5.60% | (407) 665-0000 | County Department |
| Fire Department | -0.20% | (407) 665-0000 | County Department |
| Fleet & Facilities Department | 0.00% | (407) 665-0000 | County Department |
| Information Technology | -0.30% | (407) 665-0000 | County Department |
| Parks & Recreation | -0.10% | (407) 665-0000 | County Department |
| Public Works | -9.00% | (407) 665-0000 | County Department |
| Utilities (Water & Sewer) | -0.10% | (407) 665-0000 | County Department |
Despite these efforts, essential services continue to face strain. Public safety agencies are battling regional competition for recruitment and retention of qualified deputies, EMTs, and dispatchers. At the same time, public demand for services continues to grow along with Seminole County’s population.
The proposed 0.5 mill increase would result in the following approximate annual changes based on taxable property value:
- $100,000 taxable value: $48 annually ($4/month)
- $200,000 taxable value: $96 annually ($8/month)
- $300,000 taxable value: $144 annually ($12/month)
- $400,000 taxable value: $192 annually ($16/month)
Note: Estimates are based on taxable value (after exemptions), not market value.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, rising property values are expected to bring in about $16.2 million in new revenue. However, increased costs across public safety, especially for recruitment and retention, account for nearly that entire amount. That leaves little room to fund other essential services or invest in the County’s long-term needs.
You can attend one of the two upcoming public hearings: Wednesday, September 10 at 5:30 p.m. or Tuesday, September 24 at 5:30 p.m. Both hearings will be held at the Seminole County Services Building, located at 1101 E. First Street in Sanford.
Even with the proposed increase, Seminole County’s property tax rate will remain among the lowest in Central Florida and below what it was over 30 years ago.
All County departments submitted flat or reduced budgets. Ten vacant positions were eliminated through restructuring. More than $25 million in capital projects were deferred. County leadership also launched an internal efficiency initiative called Seminal Moments to identify cost-saving measures across departments. These efforts will save $5.4 million next year and $39 million over the next five years.
No. The proposed change is a 0.5 mill increase, which equals an additional 50 cents per $1,000 of taxable value. Some are confusing this with separate proposals related to utility and gas taxes. Each of these proposals has a different purpose, impact, and timeline. They are not the same as the millage rate increase.
No. The Board sets the millage rate annually. It can be increased, decreased, or kept flat depending on need.
The Board of County Commissioners is considering changes to the gas and utility taxes.
- Gas Tax:
The proposed increase would support public transit, including long-term funding for SunRail ,LYNX, and Micro-Transit services. This is a local option fuel tax, not a state or federal tax. The estimated impact is about 5 cents per gallon which depending on if a household utilized around 100 gallons of gas a month, would cost an additional $5 a month per household. The revenue would be restricted to transportation uses. Experts note that gas prices are driven more by station competition than by small tax differences, which is why gas prices in neighboring counties that already have this tax — like Volusia and Osceola — remain comparable to those in Seminole County. - Public Service Tax (Utility Tax):
A 10% utility tax is already in place in 6 of 7 Seminole County cities, including Altamonte Springs, Sanford, and Oviedo. This proposal would apply the same 10% tax to unincorporated areas, creating fairness across the County. It applies to electric, gas, and water and would generate dedicated revenue for public safety and essential services.
Seminal Moments is an internal initiative focused on rethinking how County government delivers services. It brought together directors from across departments to identify operational changes that stretch taxpayer dollars further. The effort produced more than 40 ideas for efficiencies, including consolidating customer service functions, rightsizing the County fleet, and streamlining internal billing processes. One of the more public-facing results is Scout, the County’s new micro-transit service that improves access while reducing long-term transit costs. These improvements are already being implemented and will lead to millions in long-term savings.
You can request an informal review with the Property Appraiser’s Office. If the issue isn't resolved, you may file a petition with the Value Adjustment Board by September 12, 2025. Petition forms are available at scpafl.org
A millage rate is the amount per $1,000 of taxable value used to calculate your property taxes. A 0.5 mill increase means you pay an extra $0.50 per $1,000 in taxable value.
TRIM stands for Truth in Millage. It’s your official Notice of Proposed Property Taxes, mailed each August by the Seminole County Property Appraiser.
Your TRIM notice shows:
- Your property’s market and assessed values
- Any exemptions you qualify for (like Homestead)
- The proposed tax rates from each taxing authority (County, Schools, City, etc.)
- Estimated property taxes based on those rates
- Dates and times of public budget hearings where you can provide input
This is not a bill, but it is your chance to review your values, check your exemptions, and attend public hearings before final rates are adopted. The 2025 TRIM notices will be mailed in mid-August.
Taxable value is the assessed value of your home minus exemptions like the homestead exemption. You can find your taxable value on your TRIM notice or by visiting the Seminole County Property Appraiser’s website: scpafl.org
About two-thirds of the General Fund supports public safety services, including the Sheriff’s Office, 911, and Emergency Management. The rest supports functions like mass transit, road maintenance, parks, and libraries.
In addition to Seminole County Government, your tax bill may include rates set by:
- Your city (if you live within city limits)
- Seminole County Public Schools
- St. Johns River Water Management District
- Other special districts
Each of these entities sets its own tax rate and holds its own public hearings. Questions about their budgets or tax rates should be directed to the appropriate authority listed on your TRIM notice.
The Seminole County Property Appraiser determines your property's value as of January 1 each year based on market conditions. If you think your value is too high or incorrect, you should contact the Property Appraiser’s Office directly at scpafl.org or (407) 665-7506.
Even if you have similar homes, your neighbor may have owned their home longer and is benefiting from the Save Our Homes cap, which limits how much their assessed value can increase each year. If you recently bought your home, your assessed value may have reset to full market value, which can result in a higher tax bill.
Many County revenues have stayed flat or even declined, while costs for public safety, mass transit, inflation, and state mandates continue to rise. Without additional revenue, the County would have to make service cuts to balance the budget.
Still have questions? Contact the Citizens Engagement Center at (407) 665-0000.