Oscela Lowers Property Tax

OrlandoSentinel.com

CENTRAL FLORIDA The Area In Brief

In Osceola, spending up, taxes down

September 26, 2007

Kissimmee

Osceola commissioners on Tuesday signed off on a $935.4 million budget that lowers property taxes in line with state mandates.

The countywide tax rate was set at about $5.36 per $1,000 of assessed value -- 64 cents, or 11 percent, less than the previous rate.

The owner of a $225,000 house claiming a homestead exemption will see about a $128 drop in the county tax bill, excluding city, school, library and other levies.

County Manager Michael Freilinger's plan increased spending by 21 percent from the last fiscal year, a jump he attributed mainly to infrastructure projects not funded with property taxes.