Manatee sets $1B tax collection record with new development and high property values
For the first time in its history, the Manatee County Tax Collector’s Office expects to collect more than $1 billion in property taxes in the 2023 tax year.
It’s a record — by a lot — over the previous tax year, which was also a record.
This week, the Tax Collector’s Office sent out property tax bills totaling $1.16 billion. That leapfrogs by 17% the $995 million total in 2022.
Considering the amount of growth and development in Manatee County, as well as big increases in home prices in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, that comes as no surprise.
In September 2019, the median price of an existing single-family house in the Bradenton area was $315,000. In September 2023, the median was $503,495, according to the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee.
This year’s taxes are based on the Manatee County Property Appraiser’s assessed roll of $75.9 billion. The Property Appraiser establishes the taxable value and exemptions for property throughout the county.
Manatee property tax collection sets $1B record
In the 2022 tax year, properties in Manatee County had an assessed value of $63.46 billion. For 2021, the assessed value was $59.9 billion.
The Tax Collector serves as the collection agent for all taxing authorities and distributes the funds to the board of county commissioners, school board, city councils, city commissions and other taxing authorities.
In September, the Manatee County Commission approved a $2.9 billion budget for 2023-2024.
In addition to property taxes, the county also receives money from fees for services, loans and grants.
County commissioners approved funding for transportation improvements, government salary increases and upgrades to recreational areas.
“This is by far the largest (Capital Improvement Plan) that Manatee County has seen,” Sheila McLean, the county’s chief financial officer, said in September.
A portion of the Manatee School District’s $1.38 billion budget is also funded by property taxes. Other sources include federal and state funds. The district’s 55,000 students are served at 66 schools by 6,864 employees, including 2,964 teachers.
Property tax-payers have until Nov. 30 to get a 4% discount on annual tax payments that are received or postmarked by Nov. 30. Unpaid 2023 taxes will become delinquent on April 1, 2024.
Tax bills can also be paid online at TaxCollector.com.
Anyone who does not receive their bill by Nov. 20, may visit TaxCollector.com to print a duplicate bill, pay current and delinquent taxes and print receipts.
This story was originally published November 3, 2023 at 3:00 PM.
