Volusia County Tentative Budget Holds Line on Millage Rates While Maintaining Core Service Investments

Posted On: September 4, 2026

Volusia County is advancing a tentative fiscal year 2026-27 budget that holds flat or reduces all County millage rates while continuing to fund public safety, infrastructure, and other essential services that residents rely on every day.

The County Council on Thursday evening approved tentative millage rates and a tentative budget during the first of two required public hearings. Under the spending plan, none of the County’s 10 millage rates would increase from current-year levels, with two decreasing and eight remaining neutral.

The tentative fiscal year 2026-27 budget totals approximately $1.8 billion. That gross amount includes reserves, transfers between County funds, and internal service funds that account for services provided within the organization. After those amounts are excluded, the County’s net budget is approximately $1.06 billion, with an equivalent amount in net revenues supporting County programs, services, and capital investments.

Property taxes represent approximately $455.5 million, or 42.8%, of the County’s net revenues. The remainder comes from a variety of sources, including charges for services, grants, tourist and convention development taxes, fuel and utility taxes, investment income, and other revenues, many of which are restricted for use in the funds they are collected. For example, airport revenues may by law only be expended for airport-related expenditures.

The tentative budget reflects the County’s continued focus on balancing the cost of providing services with responsible management of taxpayer dollars. The General Fund millage rate was set at 3.2007 mills for the second consecutive fiscal year, pending the final hearing. The County has reduced the General Fund millage rate considerably over the past several years, from 5.6944 mills in fiscal year 2018-19 to 3.2007 mills today.

Public safety remains a significant priority in the tentative budget. Of the approximately $455.5 million in property tax revenue, approximately $254.6 million, or nearly 56%, is allocated to public safety. The funding supports law enforcement, Fire Rescue, Emergency Medical Services, Emergency Management, and other functions that protect residents and respond to emergencies. Transportation and other public works investments also remain a significant component of the spending plan, accounting for approximately $299.6 million, or 27.9% of countywide net expenditures. Those resources support the infrastructure and services that help connect communities and keep people and goods moving throughout Volusia County.

The tentative budget also continues funding for libraries, environmental and conservation programs, transit, beaches, the airport, courts, and other services and facilities serving residents and visitors throughout the county.

The fiscal year 2026-27 budget and millage rates will return to the County Council for final consideration during the second and final public budget hearing at 5:01 p.m. on Sept. 22.