In a 3-2 vote, the Collier County Commission has decided to keep the current millage rate for fiscal year 2026, resulting in a potential 3% increase in tax collections due to rising property values. This decision enables the county to fully fund its $2.2 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which starts October 1.
The budget will address long-delayed infrastructure maintenance, with $25 million set aside to create a fund aimed at replacing aging infrastructure. County Manager Amy Patterson emphasized the urgent need for repairs, noting that 5 million square feet of county buildings, including the nearly 50-year-old Collier County Government Center, are aging and in need of attention. Estimated costs to rebuild key facilities, like the David Lawrence Center and the county forensics building, could reach around $75 million each. Stormwater treatment improvements are also a priority, with a total estimated cost of $300 million.
For the past two years, commissioners had rolled back property tax revenue to match the previous year’s collections, but this approach has come at a cost. Commissioner Burt Saunders pointed out that keeping taxes flat would hinder the county’s ability to maintain quality services, such as park upkeep, beach maintenance, and median beautification, all of which contribute to the region’s high quality of life.
Commissioner Rick LoCastro noted that while rising property values are good for homeowners, they also contribute to increased tax burdens. He reminded residents that they can’t expect both rising home values and lower taxes.
A proposal for a midpoint tax increase was suggested by Commissioner Dan Kowal, but it was not supported by the majority. Commissioner Chris Hall proposed using $25 million from the Conservation Collier fund to offset the tax increase, but this plan was met with resistance. Voters have twice approved taxes for the Conservation Collier program, which funds land acquisitions to protect wildlife habitats and prevent urban sprawl.
The arts organizations grants recommended by the Tourism Development Council were preserved, and the Vanderbilt and East Naples libraries, which were rumored to face cuts, were spared for the coming year.
