MAITLAND, Fla. – Maitland leaders passed a new millage rate cap for the 2023 tax year at the city council meeting on Monday.
The proposed millage rate cap could eventually lead to a property tax increase up to 13%.
Maitland resident Magda Goula said because she’s retiring soon, a possible tax increase could cut into her retirement savings.
“Especially people in my age who are looking for a retirement, we are seeing the money to go more than come to us, (which) is really scary,” Goula said.
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The city’s current millage rate is set at 4.345, and the millage rate cap passed on Monday is 4.9462.
However, council members expressed their desire to lower that rate once a final number is agreed upon.
“I get it, I’m a taxpayer, too. So it’s something I have to pay and all of us have to pay, as well,” council member Lori Wurtzel said. “We were confident it was necessary to accomplish our goals for the year and also because we haven’t had any increases in the last four years and only one in the last eight years. It felt like it was time based on the economy and the issues we are dealing.”
Robert Sargent, the public information officer for the city of Maitland, said the money would be used to upgrade Keller Road, address staffing issues such as pay, and add new police and fire vehicles.
“What we’re discussing at the council meeting is an important step, but it is one step along the process,” Sargent said. “And by no means is it the end.”
Goula said she supports higher pay for city staff, just not at the expense of the taxpayer.
“It’s a great idea to pay more—the people working for the city,” Goula said. “But I think the city already collects a lot of money. Maitland is not a poor city.”
Sargent told News 6 if the city were to eventually go with the proposed cap, some homeowners could see an increase of hundreds of dollars.
“If later on down the road the council decided to go for that full cap, for a $500,000 home in the city of Maitland, for example, the increase would be about $297 a year for someone on a half million dollar home,” Sargent said.
He added the council could eventually decide to go with the full proposed cap, a little less or not increase the millage rate at all.
A final rate is scheduled to be voted on Sept. 11 at 6:30 p.m.
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