District Approves Proposed Millage Rate

News Release

The "Governing Board of the Southwest Florida Water Management District":http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/about/governingboard/ (District) adopted a proposed FY2015-16 millage rate of 0.3488 mill, 4.6 percent lower than the current fiscal year. For the owner of a $150,000 home with a $50,000 homestead exemption, the District tax would be $34.88 a year, or about $2.91 per month. The fiscal year runs from Oct. 1, 2015, through Sept. 30, 2016. The total FY2015-16 proposed budget for the District is $183.4 million.

The budget reflects the District's commitment to protect Florida's water resources and to improve Florida's economic vitality. All programs and projects advance the core mission of the District and are designed to provide the highest quality service to residents within the District.

The proposed budget includes more than $109 million for Cooperative Funding Initiatives and District projects. The District funds are leveraged with its partners' resulting in a total investment of more than $150 million for water resource management projects.

The District will hold a tentative budget hearing on Sept.15 at 5:01 p.m. at the Tampa Service Office, located at 7601 U.S. Highway 301.The Governing Board will vote on the final budget on Sept. 29 at 5:01 p.m., at the Tampa Service Office, located at 7601 U.S. Highway 301.