policy
Tallahassee Voters Cap Property Tax Increases at 3 Percent for 48,000 Homes
The November ballot measure would limit annual taxable value increases to 3 percent for owner-occupied homes, directly shaping property tax bills for more than 48,000 Tallahassee residences.
How we reported this
Tallahassee residents will vote in November on a local referendum that would cap annual increases in assessed property values at 3 percent for primary residences. The measure applies to single-family homes and condominiums used as the owner's main dwelling and excludes investment properties or second homes.
Why the measure reaches voters now
Leon County property records show assessed values rose an average of 7.8 percent in the 2025 tax year. City budget documents list property taxes as the largest single revenue source, providing 41 percent of general fund dollars in fiscal year 2026. Local officials placed the referendum on the ballot after receiving petitions that met the signature threshold set by the city charter.
For a household with a $280,000 home, the cap would keep the taxable value from rising more than $8,400 next year instead of the $21,840 increase recorded under current rules. That difference translates into an estimated $180 to $240 reduction in the annual tax bill at the current millage rate of 4.35, according to calculations in the city's voter information packet.
Direct effects on monthly expenses
Residents who itemize property taxes on their federal returns could see smaller deductions, while those on fixed incomes would face slower growth in their largest annual housing cost. Utility assistance programs funded by the city would continue unchanged because the referendum does not alter sales-tax collections or fees for water and electric service.
The measure does not change the millage rate itself. Any future rate adjustment would still require a separate vote by the city commission. If the cap passes, the city projects a cumulative revenue shortfall of $6.2 million over three years, which budget staff said would be addressed through reserves and spending reductions rather than immediate service cuts.
Early voting begins October 19 at the Leon County Supervisor of Elections office on South Monroe Street. Absentee ballots will be mailed starting September 28 to voters who request them. The final tally is scheduled for release the evening of November 3.