Most central Florida counties see increase in taxable properties

ORLANDO, Fla. — New numbers released Tuesday by the Orange County property appraiser show new construction is giving the county a 6.7 percent increase in the number of properties it can tax.

Seminole County also saw an increase of 5.4 percent from year to year, and Lake County saw its highest jump since 2007 with 3.6 percent.

New development in Clermont of is one of several that have popped up in Lake County over the last year, which means more money for the city and county.

With each new home that goes up, Lake County can collect more property taxes.

"New construction keeps the demand for higher taxes down, so it's good news for existing residents," said property appraiser Carey Baker.

Baker told Channel 9 South Lake saw the biggest increases in new home construction from 2013-2014.

Groveland saw a 13.5 percent increase in new single-family homes. Second to that was Mineola at just a little more than 13 percent and then Clermont at 8.3 percent.

But Channel 9's Racquel Asa reports all the growth might not translate into lower property taxes, because more growth usually means higher property values.

Baker said as long as cities hold the line on spending, tax rates probably won't go up.

"Government shouldn't have to raise their prices just because they have new growth," said Baker.

Leesburg was the only city in Lake County see a loss in taxable value while other cities saw gains. The county said that's because companies aren't investing too much in new equipment.

Osceola County also saw a jump in taxable properties from 2013-2014 of 2.3 percent.

WFTV