City

Gainesville commission to set property tax ceiling as city faces $8.6M budget gap

The Gainesville City Commission is scheduled Thursday to establish the maximum millage rate for fiscal year 2027, a ceiling that can be reduced but not raised before the final budget is adopted. Staff recommend holding the rate at approximately 6.7 mills, while rising property values would still push average tax bills more than 5% higher, growing city property tax revenue from $77.5 million to $81.5 million. The interim city manager’s preferred scenario among seven presented would close an estimated $8.6 million General Fund shortfall through a higher fire assessment, $1.4 million in departmental cuts, and tapping $1.2 million in Fleet Fund reserves — without eliminating any filled positions.

Sources: City of Gainesville · WCJB TV20