News Summary
Leon County property owners are facing rising property taxes due to a 7.8% increase in property values. Although millage rates will remain unchanged, homeowners need to review upcoming TRIM notices. Support for a potential property tax increase to fund education has widespread backing, but economic challenges loom as crime numbers decrease and passenger traffic declines at the airport.
Tallahassee – Leon County property owners can expect to see their property taxes rise due to escalating property values, despite current millage rates remaining unchanged. The changes follow a report from the Leon County Property Appraiser indicating that taxable property values have increased by nearly 7.8% since last year, largely fueled by new construction and renovations.
Residents will receive redesigned “Notice of Proposed Property Taxes” (TRIM notices) in mid-August to clarify their tax liabilities. Actual tax bills will be dispatched in November, with homeowners urged to review these notices carefully as they will reflect higher property values. Although the millage rates set for Leon County and the City of Tallahassee will not change, the rising values will likely translate into increased tax bills for many homeowners.
The current school board millage rate stands at 5.366 mills, generating $156.5 million in revenue for the upcoming 2025-26 fiscal year. A recent poll conducted by the Leon County Teachers Association revealed that 76% of local voters support a property tax increase aimed at funding teacher salaries and enhancing school safety. The proposed increase could add 0.5 mills, which has the potential to generate an additional $13 million annually for educational initiatives.
Despite this support, homeowners are facing rising costs associated with property taxes, creating a delicate balance for local governments. The increasing property values have led to heightened revenue for local authorities as the same tax rates have resulted in more income, which has created tensions among taxpayers concerned about affordability.
Leon County Property Appraiser Akin Akinyemi has noted that the increase in taxable property values does not guarantee a corresponding rise in the value of every property. Local governments have been encouraged to evaluate the possibility of implementing rollbacks on millage rates to lessen the financial burden on taxpayers as property values continue to surge. Additionally, homestead exemptions can help lower taxable property values, adding another layer to the complex landscape of property taxation. Homeowners interested in taking advantage of this exemption must apply by the March 1 deadline for the following year.
Amid these financial discussions, crime statistics in Tallahassee have shown promising trends. Reports indicate a significant 35.4% decrease in crime incidents from January through July 2024, largely attributed to a remarkable 54.6% reduction in commercial burglaries. This drop in crime may positively influence community perceptions and residential stability in Leon County.
However, not all sectors are faring well. The Tallahassee International Airport reported an 8.5% decrease in passenger traffic in June 2025 compared to the same month the previous year, signaling potential economic challenges related to travel and tourism in the area.
Additionally, recent developments in the insurance sector have seen Progressive Insurance indicate a possibility of exceeding Florida’s state profit limits due to favorable legislation that has reduced lawsuits against insurers. These factors of rising property values and changing economic conditions will likely influence local financial planning and strategy moving forward.
As Leon County faces ongoing budget shortfalls within its school system—exacerbated by a loss of federal and state funding—the potential for a property tax increase remains a topic of active discussion among stakeholders. While property values have risen approximately 5.4% from the prior year, this marks a decline from the 7.3% increase noted previously. The resilience in property values continues to support revenue generation for public services, but the implications for homeowners and the local economy warrant careful consideration.
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Tallahassee Approves Major Air Service Incentive and Faces Community Challenges
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Additional Resources
- Tallahassee.com: New TRIM Notices Aim to Simplify Leon County Property Tax Info
- WTXL: Property Tax Bills May Be Higher This Year, Rising Property Values to Blame
- Florida Politics: Orlando Doesn’t Plan to Increase Property Tax Rate Next Year
- Miami Herald: State Politics – Article on Property Tax Changes
- Tallahassee.com: Property Tax Hike Coming for Leon County Homeowners
- Wikipedia: Property Tax
- Google Search: Property Tax Florida
- Google Scholar: Property Taxation in Florida
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Property Tax
- Google News: Florida Property Taxes
Author: STAFF HERE TALLAHASSEE WRITER
The TALLAHASSEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERETallahassee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Tallahassee, Leon 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 Springtime Tallahassee, Tallahassee Jazz & Blues Festival, and LeMoyne Chain of Parks Art Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Big Bend, plus leading businesses in education, healthcare, and insurance that power the local economy such as Florida State University, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, and Capital Health Plan. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
