In a recent social media post, Tallahassee mayoral candidate Jeremy Matlow proposed funding fire services and stormwater expenses via property taxes instead of the current method of charging fees on utility bills. It appears the proposal would allow state government properties and other non-profit property owners to avoid paying for various city services.
The post tag stated, “The utility bills are way too high. Part of that is record heat waves, part of it is global energy instability and the remainder is local government.
Let’s get the taxes off of the utility bill and get to work lowering utility costs for everyone.”
In the video, Matlow states the first thing we do is “get the taxes off the utility bill.” He references the fire services fee and the stormwater fee.
The 2026 operating expenses for the Fire Services Fund are $65 million, and the Stormwater Fund expenses are $25 million.
During the video, Matlow never explains how the fees will be collected when moved off of the utility bill. However, a commenter asks a question about the proposal, “in property taxes? Or receive a separate bill?”
Matlow responds, “property taxes.”
Moving approximately $90 million in fees to property taxes means that property owners will subsidize the services for non-property owners, non-profit property owners and property owners with tax exemptions. All of these residents currently pay the fees.
Complicating the issue is Matlow’s campaign proposal to cut property taxes.
How do you make property taxes responsible for millions more in new spending obligations and cut property taxes?
We have asked Commissioner Matlow this question and will report his answer if and when he responds.
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