BY MARK J. CRAWFORD
Telegraph Editor
STARKE — The total just value of property in Bradford County climbed to more than $2 billion.
Just value of property increased 14%, or nearly $270 million, to more than $2.19 billion.
Just value is the market value for the 15,530 parcels evaluated by the Property Appraiser Kenny Clark’s office.
According to Clark, the numbers are preliminary.
Ad valorem tax, or property tax, is not based on market value but on the assessed value of those properties after eligible exemptions. Once the value of those exemptions are subtracted, the increase in value is closer to 4.6%.
Increases on homestead properties, however, are capped at 3%.
Bradford County will begin its budget calendar next Thursday. At the July 20 meeting, the county commission will set the proposed millage rate. For the 2022-23 fiscal year, property taxes for county government were at the maximum rate of 10 mills.
New sources of revenue such as franchise fees or special assessments that might have allowed for a tax cut have not been added.
Short of the commission rolling back the millage rate, taxpayers could be facing an increase.
County Clerk Denny Thompson plans on presenting the board with its tentative budget on Aug. 1. Public hearings will follow on Sept. 5 and Sept. 18. The final millage rate and budget will be adopted at the second hearing.
The school board will also begin its budget process this month. The budget will be presented at a specially scheduled board meeting on July 24 during which the board will hold its first public hearing.
Finance Director Brandon Esposito has asked for a workshop with the school board prior to that date to explain what the district can truly expect in terms of state funding.
