Your Property Tax Investment

Property taxes — also called ad valorem taxes — are one of Hillsborough County’s main sources of funding. In FY 2027, property taxes are projected to make up about 31.6% of the County’s current-year revenue. 

Property-tax bills are generally based on two things

• The property’s taxable value, which is determined by the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser after exemptions are applied. 
• The tax rate, also called a millage rate, set by each taxing authority. One mill equals $1 for every $1,000 of taxable property value. 

For more than 30 years, Hillsborough County has not increased its countywide millage rate. In fact, the rate has been substantially reduced. The countywide millage rate declined from 7.7500 in Fiscal Year 1999 to 5.4608 in Fiscal Year 2026 — a 29.5% reduction. That trend continues. The adopted Fiscal Year 2027 budget includes an additional countywide millage-rate reduction to 5.3608 mills for property owners in both incorporated and unincorporated areas. 

Meeting the Needs of Growth 

Hillsborough County’s population increased by 159,380 residents — 11.4% — between Fiscal Years 2019 and 2025. During that period, property tax collections rose by more than $600 million. It should be noted that approximately 40% of that increase is tied to new construction and local economic growth. More people, more homes, and a growing economy require additional investment in infrastructure and services to maintain existing levels of service and quality of life. Growth in property tax revenue is targeted to fund areas of service residents and businesses rely on every day, including public safety, transportation, drainage, community services, and required funding for outside agencies. As one of Florida’s fastest-growing communities, Hillsborough County is investing property-tax revenue responsibly across services and infrastructure residents and businesses depend upon. 

(Chart that shows where the money has gone by percentage) – maybe the dollar and show what portion is going to the buckets of PS, transportation, etc.). 

Hillsborough County continues to look for responsible ways to control costs while meeting the needs of a growing population. Excluding Fire Rescue, the County had 4,937 budgeted positions in Fiscal Year 2025 — 727 fewer than in Fiscal Year 2007, a 12.8% reduction despite strong growth in population since 2007. This is possible because of the County’s commitment to efficiency, innovation, and exceptional public service that prioritizes lowering costs while maintaining levels of service.

Public Safety Is Our Top Priority 

Public safety is by far Hillsborough County’s largest investment area. Approximately XX percent of  property tax collections support day-to-day public safety operations, including the Sheriff’s Office, Fire Rescue and ambulance response, emergency management, 911/emergency dispatch, jail operations, the Medical Examiner, mosquito control, and code enforcement. In fact, in recent years, the County has invested significantly in additional fire stations, Fire Rescue personnel, and law-enforcement capacity as the community grows. These investments improve response times for emergencies and save lives. 

Since Fiscal Year 2007, Hillsborough County Fire Rescue staffing has increased by 356 positions, from 939 to 1,295 — a 37.9% increase. For FY 2027, the adopted unincorporated-area general fund directs about 68% of its spending to public safety, reflecting increasing calls for service and demand in unincorporated areas. 

Supporting the Unincorporated Community 

The Unincorporated Area General Fund provides municipal-type services for residents and businesses outside the cities of Tampa, Plant City, and Temple Terrace. These services include law enforcement, fire rescue, transportation, parks, cultural and recreation centers, and other local government services. 

More than 1.08 million people — 69% of Hillsborough County’s population — live in the unincorporated areas. The unincorporated-area millage rate for FY 2027 is 4.7163 mills, well below the municipal millage rates of the cities of Temple Terrace (6.4550), Tampa (6.2076), and Plant City (5.7157) despite similar levels of service.  

Property-tax-supported County services include: 

• Law enforcement 
• Fire Rescue services 
• 9-1-1 
• Transportation infrastructure, including sidewalks, bridges, and roadways 
• Code enforcement and animal control
• Library services in Tampa and unincorporated Hillsborough County 
• Animal services, including sheltering and spay/neuter programs 
• Services for children, older adults, and families 
• Economic development and workforce-related efforts 
• Parks, recreation, and cultural programs 
• Conservation and environmental lands management including prescribed burning operations to reduce the risk of wildfires and protect neighborhoods
• Mosquito prevention and protection  
• Courts and other general government services