CSC Votes to Increase Property Tax Revenues for FY 2025

On Thursday, July 18th, the Leon County Children’s Services Council (CSC) board voted unanimously (6-0, with one board member absent) to maintain the current milage rate of 0.3477 for the upcoming FY 2025. Due to the increase in Leon County property values, the decision will result in a tax increase for property owners.

During FY 2024, the .3477 millage raised $7.6 million in tax revenues. In FY 2025, the same milage rate is projected to raise approximately $8.40 million, $760,000 more than in FY 2024.

The CSC board did have the option to “roll back” the milage rate to a level that would have raised about the same amount of revenues in FY 2025 as in FY 2024. However, there was no support for that option.

The CSC board voted last year to roll back the tax rate.

Several public speakers voiced concerns about the tax increase and the impact on some members of the community. However, others discussed the growing need for the services the CSC provided.

CSC board member and Leon County School Board member Darryl Jones, said, “I will never vote for rolling back the rate. I will always vote for rolling it forward, because I think it is a disingenuous argument for anyone to suggest that the Children’s Services Council, based on the millage rate that it collects, somehow creates a great burden on our community.”

However, recently appointed board member Simone Marstiller, who could not attend the meeting in person, provided written remarks.

Marstiller wrote, “This Council should be good and careful stewards of the taxpayer dollars we collect and spend. In my view, that means demonstrating clearly to ourselves and to the public that the investments we make are having the intended positive effect on the lives of children in Leon County…I still don’t know what our outcome measures are or when we will be prepared to report on the effectiveness of the programs we have funded. In absence of such vital information, I would be hesitant to approve the substantial increases in some Program Investments & Supports recommended for next fiscal year, and I would favor rolling back our millage rate to either .3153 or .3248.”

The CSC will hold its first public hearing on its proposed tax rate on Sept. 12. That’s at 5 p.m., in the CSC offices at 2002 Old St. Augustine Rd., Suite A-50.