St. Johns County held its major millage rates flat for the new fiscal year even as the county's overall budget climbed to $1.9 billion.

The Board of County Commissioners adopted the Fiscal Year 2027 budget at its final hearing Sept. 15. The spending plan took effect Thursday, Oct. 1.

Operating expenditures increased 2.2% over the prior year's budget, according to the county's official budget summary. The plan also includes $264 million in new capital improvement funding, according to Wade Schroeder, director of the county's Office of Management and Budget, on the County Conversations podcast.

The General Fund millage rate remains 4.4999 mills, or $4.4999 per $1,000 of taxable value. The Transportation Trust Fund rate remains 0.8444 mills, while the Fire District rate is 1.4700 mills.

A flat millage rate does not necessarily mean a flat property tax bill. The county expects $426 million in property tax revenue in FY2027, up from $399.4 million the previous year, according to its Notice of Proposed Tax Increase. Changes in taxable property values can increase bills even when the millage rate remains unchanged.

$100 million in projects put on hold

The new capital funding comes as the county prepares for the potential effects of proposed Property Tax Amendment 3, which will appear on the Nov. 3 general election ballot.

Roughly $100 million in capital projects have been placed on hold while the county evaluates its finances.

County staff began preparing for the potential effects of the amendment in May. The Capital Improvement Project Oversight Committee reviewed projects using factors including life-safety and legal requirements, grant funding, reliance on property taxes, stage of completion and community need.

"Placing these projects on hold does not mean they have been canceled," committee Chair Daniel Whitcraft said in a county statement Sept. 10.

He called the pause a "financially responsible approach" that gives the county time to evaluate funding and project priorities.

County prepares for potential revenue loss

The budget includes $31.2 million in emergency response reserves and an additional $30 million in General Fund reserves for financial resiliency.

If voters approve Amendment 3, the Florida Office of Economic and Demographic Research estimates St. Johns County could lose $68.3 million in property tax revenue in FY2028. The estimated annual reduction grows to $136.1 million in FY2029 and $191.6 million by FY2032.

The county has also identified about $8.6 million in positions and vacant-position funding for reassessment as part of its preparations.

St. Johns County says it does not advocate for or against Amendment 3. Its information page outlines the proposal and its estimated financial effects.

The county also cautions that the revenue estimates do not determine which departments, programs or services would change if voters approve the amendment. Any such decisions would require action through the county's public budget process.