Understanding Municipal Property Taxes
Property taxes are how cities fund the services people count on—law enforcement, road repair, emergency response, and more. Unlike other revenue sources, they stay in the community where they’re raised, giving residents a strong say in how dollars are spent.
Where Your Sanford Property Tax Dollar Goes
Every dollar of property tax helps keep our city running! The City of Sanford has a current General Fund budget of 85.6 million dollars. Your property taxes provide 55% of funding for that budget. Those funds help support:
- Public Safety – Police & Fire
- Public Works & Utilities – Roads, water, sewer
- Finance/IT
- Development Services – Building, Planning, Code Enforcement
- Parks & Recreation – Parks & Youth and Adult programs
See the chart below to understand the revenue sources that fund the City’s budget.
Florida is Proposing an End to Property Taxes
On February 19, 2026, the Florida House passed HJR 203, a proposal to amend the state constitution to phase out most non-school property taxes on homesteaded properties over 10 years, beginning in 2027. The plan seeks to eliminate ad valorem taxes (excluding school levies) by 2037. The Senate has yet to advance a similar measure. This would make Florida the first state in the nation to completely eliminate property taxes outright.
Current Status:
- Senate Resistance: The Florida Senate has not yet advanced similar legislation, creating a significant hurdle for the House proposal, WFLX.
- Financial Impact: Critics warn that removing this revenue could necessitate a massive increase in state sales tax—potentially rising from 6% to over 14%—to compensate for the lost funds.
- Supporter View: Proponents call this the most aggressive tax reform in state history, designed to reduce the burden on homeowners and stimulate the housing market
Where to Learn More
The Florida League of Cities has compiled helpful information on understanding property taxes and how they affect you. Click on the link below to access this resource.
