District reduces tax rate for sixth year, funds major projects in $142.5 million budget

at
What a typical District homeowner can expect to pay in 2019 for their water management district portion of their tax bill at 0.2562 mills

PALATKA, Fla., Sept. 25, 2018 — The St. Johns River Water Management District’s Governing Board on Tuesday adopted its fiscal year 2018-2019 budget, which reduces the millage rate for taxpayers for a sixth consecutive year. The $142.5 million budget continues to provide significant funds for water resource protection and cost-share projects to ensure sustainable water resources, increase water conservation and protect water quality in springs and other priority water bodies.

The 0.2562 millage rate would result in nearly $87 million in revenue toward a total $142.5 million budget for fiscal year 2018‒2019, which begins Oct. 1, 2018. The budget is also funded through state, federal and other district sources (including timber sales, cattle leases, interest earnings and permit fees).

The millage rate adopted by the board is approximately 6 percent less than the current year’s tax rate.

Under a 0.2562 millage rate — 25.62 cents for every $1,000 of assessed property value — the owner of a $200,000 house with a $50,000 homestead exemption would pay $38.43 in the coming year in property taxes to the district.

The budget will fund the district’s major programs, including water supply planning, priority water body and springs restoration, and continued cost-share partnerships.

Budget highlights include:

  • More than $54.92 million in cooperative funding, with up to $3.5 million specifically to support water projects in economically disadvantaged rural communities and for innovative technologies, as well as springs and priority water body protection and restoration, water conservation initiatives with public water suppliers, and projects to enhance the reuse of reclaimed water.
  • $3.93 million in state funds for Lake Apopka projects, including enhancements to the marsh flow-way system.
  • $3 million in legislative funds for the Doctors Lake Nutrient Reduction Projects.
  • $8.13 million in legislative funds for the Black Creek Water Resource Development Project to provide aquifer recharge in northeast Florida.

 

The final budget will be available online after Oct.5, 2018, on the District’s website, www.sjrwmd.com.