Where Do Your Tax Dollars Go?
The City of Orlando is home to more than 340,000 residents, of which 63% are renters, and we welcomed nearly 50,000 new neighbors in the last five years.
We are a fiscally responsible city with a AAA credit rating with Fitch Ratings and strong reserves. This means we are managing your tax dollars well and working efficiently to stretch those dollars as far as possible while saving money for a rainy day.
What does the city collect from my tax bill?
For every dollar you pay in property tax, the city receives about 35 cents. The remainder is divided between Orange County, Orange County Public Schools, St. John Water Management District and the library system.
What do my property taxes pay for?
For about $7 a day, Orlando households get around-the-clock public safety, maintained roads and sidewalks, parks and playgrounds, and neighborhood centers.
Per household, $6.77 a day will pay for:
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Police
24/7 protection and patrol from more than 900 first responders |
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Fire & Rescue
24/7 fire, rescue, and EMS response from more than 600 fire responders |
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Parks & Recreation
123 parks, 61 fields, 56 playgrounds, and 19 neighborhood centers |
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Infrastructure
1,200 miles of sidewalks, 900 miles of streets, and 500+ traffic signals |
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Community & Culture
year-round events, holiday lighting, and support for local nonprofits |
What is the property tax rate?
The property tax rate (millage rate) has remained unchanged for more than a decade.
While property values have gone up dramatically over the past 10 years, the existing 3% Save Our Homes cap has helped limit the impact for existing homeowners in homesteaded properties.
The impact of Save Our Homes
| |
Median Home 10 Years Ago (2016) |
Median Home Today (2026) |
Home Purchased 10 Years Ago Today Protected by 3% Maximum Increase |
| Median Home Price - Appraiser Assessed Value |
$207,000 |
$416,300 |
$263,400 |
| Homestead Exemption |
-$50,000 |
-$50,000 |
-$50,000 |
| Taxable Assessed Value |
$157,000 |
$366,300 |
$213,400 |
| City's Millage Rate |
0.00665 |
0.00665 |
0.00665 |
| City Property Taxes |
$1,044/year |
$2,436/year |
$1,419/year |
| Cost per month |
$87 |
$203 |
$118 |
| Cost per day |
$2.90 |
$6.77 |
$3.93 |
*Note that this is the city's portion only, based on June median sales price data in the respective year.
Costs are rising for you and for us
In the past ten years, our expenses have gone up. But we have still maintained the millage rate, balanced our budget, and earned some of the highest financial ratings in the country.
Example cost increases
| Budget item |
2016 cost |
2026 cost |
Percent increase |
| Annual street lighting costs |
$5.6 million |
$6.9 million |
23% |
| Police officer ballistic vest |
$734 |
$915 |
24% |
| Firefighter protective coat and pants |
$2,586 |
$5,677 |
119% |
| Pool chemicals per gallon |
$3.74 |
$9.50 |
154% |
| New fire station |
$4.9 million |
$12.7 million |
159% |
What's at stake? Potential impacts of proposed Property Tax Amendment 3
This November, Florida voters will be asked to consider changes to who pays certain property taxes and how much. Whatever your opinion, it’s important to understand what property taxes pay for today and how changes could affect the services we all rely on.
The city’s revenue growth has roughly kept pace with inflation and population growth overall. If Amendment 3 passes, the City of Orlando will experience a significant loss of revenue in the years ahead and revenues will fall behind what is needed to maintain current levels of service.
Projected revenue loss
| Fiscal Year 28 |
Fiscal Year 29 |
If homestead taxes are eliminated entirely |
| $30 million |
$50 million |
$80 million |
Difficult decisions
This significant loss of revenue, and continued population growth, means the city may have to make difficult decisions.
Slower 911 response time
It will be harder to keep pace with a growing city and maintain emergency response levels.
Delay road resurfacing, sidewalk repairs and infrastructure improvements
Leading to longer waits for repairs and improvements that keep neighborhoods safe and connected.
Reduce hours or programming at Parks and Neighborhood facilities
Giving families fewer opportunities for recreation, after-school programs and community activities.
Taxes may be replaced with fees
Shifting costs to service-based fees that can be less predictable and less equitable for residents.
Potential cost shift to renters and small business owners
Keep in mind - in the city, the majority of residents (60%) are renters.
- Increased millage rate
- Increase in fees for critical city services and amenities.
- Increase costs for goods and services
What can you do?
Our decisions at the ballot box in November will shape how cities provide the services we all depend on. Learn about how local governments use taxpayer dollars and what’s at stake if a considerable portion of that funding isn’t available.
- Read the amendment carefully
- Share what you're learned with neighbors, friends and family
- Look at various groups that are in favor or against this measure
- Learn more about the city's budget