CLERMONT, Fla. — On Tuesday, the Clermont City Council hosted its final budget public hearing meeting, and city leaders approved a nearly 30% increase in the millage rate.

What You Need To Know

  • The Clermont City Council approved an increase in property taxes

  • Commissioners boosted the millage rate from 4.2% to 5.06%, nearly 30%

  • It is the first millage rate increase in the past six years

It is the first millage rate increase in the past six years. The proposed increase boosts the millage rate from 4.2% to 5.06%. The increase will help the city avoid a $3 million budget deficit.

Clermont City Manager Brian Bulthius said without the increase then, the city would have had to cut services, freeze new hires and stop all over time, which would affect popular city hosted events.

“We would have to do a hiring freeze, and we’re already short employees,” he said before the vote. “You could be seeing events...we just had sips and salsa. We have light up Christmas and all of our special events that happen in the city will be stopped.”

Currently, the city of Clermont boasts one of the lowest millage rates among full-time cities in Lake County.

Here’s a quick breakdown of what taxpayers should expect if it’s approved.

Value of house is $250,000:

  • Property Tax Bill: millage rate of 4.2 = $841 annually
  • Millage rate of 5.06 = $1,012 annually

Value of house is $350,000:

  • Property Tax Bill: millage rate of 4.2 = $1,261 annually
  • millage rate of 5.06 = $1,518 annually

Value of house is $450,000:

  • Property Tax Bill: millage rate of 4.2 = $1,682 annually
  • millage rate of 5.06 = $2,024 annually

Value of house is $550,000:

  • Property Tax Bill: millage rate of 4.2 = $2,103 annually
  • millage rate of 5.06 = $2,530 annually

The increase would also affect business owners.

Sarah Cardwell, a former-Clermont resident and still works in the city, said she worries the rent increases for business owners would affect customers at a time the cost of living remains high.

“Prices have all around gone up and [some people] can’t really afford to survive,” she said. “The cost of everything goes up, and we’ll have to potentially rase the prices of our items as well.”

With the increase, the city would generate a revenue of about $20.23 million annually compared to the $16 million it generates now.