Tallahassee City Commission Holds 2027 Millage Rate at 4.2 Mills, Leaving Property Tax Bills Unchanged for Most Residents

The Tallahassee City Commission adopted the fiscal year 2027 budget on July 7 with the millage rate held steady at 4.2 mills for residential properties, matching the rate in place since 2024.

State legislation enacted earlier this year limits local millage increases to the inflation rate, which the Florida Office of Economic and Demographic Research projects at 2.8 percent for the period. City staff incorporated that cap into revenue forecasts while addressing higher costs for fuel, equipment and employee salaries.

Direct costs for households

A home assessed at the Leon County median of $285,000 will generate $1,197 in city property taxes before exemptions, the same figure billed for the current year. Renters face no direct change because landlords receive the tax bill, though lease renewals may still reflect other operating expenses. The freeze applies only to the city portion of the tax bill, which also includes separate levies from Leon County, the school district and the Northwest Florida Water Management District.

City budget documents list property tax collections at $48 million for the general fund. That revenue supports police patrols, fire response and maintenance of 35 parks and recreation facilities across the 104 square miles inside city limits. The remaining general fund revenue comes from utility transfers, sales tax distributions and fees.

Policy analysts say the stable rate reduces pressure on fixed-income households, particularly those on the south and east sides of the city where assessed values have risen faster than the county average in recent years. The homestead exemption continues to shield the first $50,000 of assessed value for qualifying primary residences.

The budget takes effect October 1. Property tax notices will be mailed in November, with payments due by March 31, 2027. The commission is scheduled to review mid-year revenue collections in January.