Gadsden County to consider property tax increase

QUINCY, Fla. – The Gadsden County Commission is considering a raise in the property tax millage rate to help pay for public services.

The board is considering an increase from 9 mills to 9.25 mills during the 2023-24 budget workshops.

The commission voted to cap the potential millage rate at 9.25 after an attempt to cap it at 9.5 failed to pass during their Sept. 13 meeting.

“We have those challenges and we have to make sure that the citizens that we do have here are provided the basic services of law enforcement, fire services, and roads, bridges, and streets,” Commissioner Kimblin NeSmith said during the meeting.

Commissioner Eric Hinson said he wanted to look in detail at exactly where the increase in revenue would be going in order to benefit the community.

“I know we need it,” he said. “But I want to make sure we look at it carefully first.”

Hinson later encouraged during a budget workshop on Monday for the board sit down with local officials and fire chiefs to better understand the needs of the communities and where the funds would go.

“We need to be honest. Just be transparent,” he said. “I think we can have open dialogue about how we can eradicate this problem here. Because that’s a lot of money.”