Collier sets max millage rate in preparation for budget hearings

Collier County commissioners established the maximum millage rate, but that could be reduced   during September’s budget hearings. 

The Board of County Commissioners on July 8 set the maximum millage rate at 3.0107 mills for the general fund, 0.0246 for Pollution Control and 0.2096 for Conservation Collier. 

One mill is equal to $1 for every $1,000 worth of a property’s taxable value after adjustments, including a homestead exemption. The proposed total tax levy, including all special taxing districts, is expected to generate $621.43 million in ad valorem tax revenue for fiscal year 2025-26, up from $572.74 million . 

The vote came after a presentation by Christopher Johnson, the county’s director of Financial & Management Services, and a series of past hearings: a budget-policy discussion in February, a strategic and priority-based budgeting workshop in March, adoption of a 5% increase budget policy and a second priority-based budgeting workshop last month with its priority-based budgeting consultant, ResourceX.  

It’s all in preparation for two budget hearings in September.  

“The overall taxable value percent changes this year were 8.5 countywide and 8.8 in the unincorporated area,” Johnson said, noting the State Ad Valorem Revenue Estimating Conference projects continued tax-base increases of about 7.8% in 2026 and 6.5% in 2027. 

Johnson said the past five years of taxable values, from fiscal year 2022 to 2026, increased about 58% countywide, and 59% for the county’s unincorporated areas. 

Collier Property Appraiser Office records show taxable values rose countywide, much of it due to new construction, including in its three cities. Countywide, property values increased to $4.01 billion due to new construction.

• Countywide, taxable property value jumped from roughly $152.0 billion this fiscal year to $164.9 billion in 2025, an 8.49% increase.  

• The city of Naples’ taxable value grew 7.82%, from $38.41 billion to $41.41billion. 

• The city of Marco Island’s taxable value rose 8.24%, from $17.11 billion to $18.52 billion. 

• Everglades City’s taxable value increased 5.94%, from $131.3 million to $139.0 million. 

Collier is working on a tentative $2.217 billion net budget based on a millage-neutral approach, meaning the tax rate will remain the same as this fiscal year, but revenues will increase due to an increase in property values. Last year’s net budget was $2.11 billion.  

The only speaker during the hearing was Brad Cornell, who represents Florida Audubon and Audubon Western Everglades, who urged commissioners to return Conservation Collier’s rate from 0.2096 mills to 0.25 mills, which residents have repeatedly approved during ballot referendums.   

“The primary rationale for increasing funding is to restore endowment-style trust funds for perpetual management and public access opportunities and obligations for the soon-to-be 6,400-plus acres of preserves, including the pending acquisition of Williams Farm,” Cornell said. “The rationale also considers the need to increase the acreage of both urban and large acreage preserves that are not being provided by the state or the federal government or their programs.” 

Since FY 24, when commissioners elected to use $53.5 million in Conservation Collier funds to balance the budget, environmentalists asked that the $29.6 million that was used be returned. However, commissioners contended it wasn’t borrowed and eventually amended the Conservation Collier Ordinance to allow that in the event of an emergency, funds may be withdrawn — provided all withdrawn funds shall be replaced as soon as practicable.  

Once the County and other taxing authorities certify the tax roll,  the county Property Appraiser’s office mails property owners their yearly Truth in Millage, or TRIM, tax notices. That mailing occurs on or before August 24, 2025.

The county will hold two public hearings on the 2025-26 budget at 5:05 p.m. Sept. 4 and 18 in the third-floor boardroom in the W. Harmon Turner building, Building F, at the County Government Center Complex, 3301 E. Tamiami Trail.