Published: July 17, 2025
Bartow, Fla. (July 17, 2025) – The Polk County Board of County Commissioners approved the proposed countywide and Municipal Services Taxing Unit millage rates for the 2025-2026 fiscal year during its July 15 meeting. The proposed rates are the same as the current fiscal year.
The proposed countywide millage rate is 6.6348 mills, which will be used to calculate property taxes across Polk County. The countywide millage rate consists of four elements including general fund operating, transportation, emergency medical and environmental lands. In addition to the countywide rate, the board also approved the proposed millage rates for the Library, Rancho Bonito, Stormwater and Parks Municipal Services Taxing Units (MSTUs).
The proposed Library MSTU millage rate is 0.1985 mills. The Rancho Bonito MSTU rate is proposed at 9.1272 mills. The Stormwater MSTU will have a proposed millage rate of 0.0941 mills and the Parks MSTU rate is proposed at 0.5286 mills.
MSTUs are specialized taxing districts that fund services in unincorporated areas of the county. Only residents who live within the boundaries of a specific MSTU and benefit from its services are taxed at that MSTU’s rate. In approving the proposed millage rates, Commissioners can lower the proposed rates but cannot increase them.
These proposed rates will be used to help develop the county’s 2025-2026 fiscal year budget, which will be finalized following public hearings held on Sept. 8 and 15.
Florida State Statute 200.065 requires counties to set a millage rate annually.
For more information about Polk County’s budget process and millage rates, visit https://www.polkfl.gov/business/budget-and-management-services/.