Pinellas Commissioners Cast Final Vote Today on Lower Property Tax Rate for FY27

Pinellas County property owners will learn their final tax rate for the coming year today, when the Board of County Commissioners holds its second and last public hearing on the Fiscal Year 2027 budget. The regular meeting starts at 2 p.m., with the budget public hearing itself set for 6 p.m. at the Palm Room, 333 Chestnut Street in Clearwater. Once commissioners vote, the new millage rates and spending plan take effect with the start of the fiscal year on Oct. 1.

The vote is largely a formality at this point, but it is the one that actually sets what lands on tax bills. Commissioners already signaled where they're headed on Sept. 14, when they approved a tentative budget that cuts the countywide property tax rate to 4.4989 mills, down from 4.5423 mills in the original proposal. That's the fifth rate reduction in six years for Pinellas County.

The tentative plan trims $6.026 million in countywide property taxes compared to what was first proposed. County officials say they got there without touching core services, by holding reserves flat and adjusting parking fees along with other efficiencies identified by staff and the commission. Public safety, road and bridge maintenance, parks, community programs and capital work like stormwater and beach nourishment projects remain funded, according to the county.

The tentative budget also keeps local funding in place for Weedon Island Preserve and Shell Key Preserve, two of the county's most heavily used natural areas.

What today's vote covers

Today's hearing finalizes the adopted millage rates and budget for the entire county government, not just the general fund. The county's own tax rate chart lists several other levies that show up on the same bill, including the health department, EMS, transit, library and water management district rates, along with the Pinellas County Schools rate, which is set separately by the School Board.

County officials point out that the county's own budget line makes up less than a third of a typical property tax bill. The rest goes to other taxing authorities, including cities, the school district and the transit agency, none of which are decided in this hearing.

Residents who want to weigh in can still speak at tonight's hearing, in person or by preregistering to comment by phone, Zoom or in writing through the county's comment system in advance of the meeting. Commissioners are not expected to make major changes from the tentative numbers approved earlier this month, but the final vote is what makes the rate and the budget official.

The next scheduled commission business after tonight's vote is a work session on Oct. 8, followed by a regular meeting on Oct. 13, the first full board meetings of the new fiscal year. Details on the FY27 budget documents and tax rate chart are posted on the county's budget and finance page.

For more on this and other decisions coming out of county government, visit Pinellas County Community Website and follow us on Facebook. Got thoughts on the tax rate or the budget priorities? Join the conversation in our Community Forum, and check out more government and politics coverage for how local decisions affect your wallet.

Header photo: Ebyabe / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.5)