Port St. Lucie real estate owners face an overall property tax rate of $25.21 per $1,000 of assessed value on their annual tax bills this fall, one of the highest in the state.
That represents an increase of about 55 cents, or 2.2 percent, compared to the current fiscal year’s overall property tax rate of $24.67 $1,000 of assessed value, preliminary tax notices show.
The municipal, county and state taxing agencies are finalizing their property tax rates and budgets this month for the 2019-2020 fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1.
St. Lucie County’s aggregate millage rate for 2018-2019 was $22.84 per $1,000 of assessed value, highest in the state, county records show. The average for Florida’s 67 counties was $16.52 per $1,000 of assessed value.
A typical Port St. Lucie homeowner’s overall property tax bill would increase by $260.66 for 2020, compared to the current year, if the agencies approve the proposed tax rates during public hearings.
The owner of a home with a taxable value of $200,000 paid $4,933.14 in property taxes for 2019.
Taking into account a 3 percent increase in the consumer price index, the owner of a home with a taxable value of $206,000 will receive a property tax bill for $5,193.80 this year.
Voters approved a $1 increase in the school district property tax rate to pay for teachers’ raises, additional school security and more psychological services. But there is only a 79-cent rate increase on preliminary tax notices.
The School Board held a public hearing Tuesday on the property tax rate of $7.12 per $1,000 of assessed value and $613.8 million budget for 2019-2020.
St. Lucie County commissioners are holding a final public hearing Sept. 19 on a $587.9 million budget and property tax rate for unincorporated areas of $8.88 per $1,000 of assessed value. That’s a 2-cent reduction from the current year’s rate.
The Port St. Lucie City Council is holding a final public hearing Sept. 23 on the proposed $450 million budget and property tax rate of $6.07 per $1,000 of assessed value.
The council lowered the city property tax rate by about 23 cents from the current year.
The South Florida Water Management District board lowered its rate by about 1 cent to 28 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. All other property tax rates remained the same or 2019-2020.
Tax bills are mailed out in late October and are due by March 31.