JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Duval County’s Property Appraiser says she was never contacted by the state and doesn’t know where the numbers are coming from in a new state claim that Jacksonville’s property tax collections have jumped by 57% since 2020.
The Florida Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is now auditing the city to investigate what it calls “excessive government spending,” pointing to rising home values and increased tax revenue. But Duval County Property Appraiser Joyce Morgan says the numbers being used to support that claim haven’t been shared with her office.
“I haven’t received any word from them. Nothing,” Morgan told News4JAX.
While DOGE is focused on Jacksonville’s spending and property tax growth, Morgan says it’s important for taxpayers to understand her office’s role.
Two major factors determine how much a homeowner pays in property taxes: the assessed value of the home, determined by the Property Appraiser’s Office, and the millage rate, which is set by the Jacksonville City Council. Additional line items like voter-approved school and infrastructure taxes are separate.
“Once those millage rates are sent over to the Property Appraiser’s Office, that’s when we do our work,” Morgan said. “We just apply the millage rate to the taxable values. That’s our job — and our job must never seep into their job.”
Morgan said about 53% of Jacksonville’s annual budget comes from property taxes. DOGE says property tax collections have jumped by more than $400 million since 2020.
When asked why property taxes have gone up over the last four years, Morgan pointed to rising property values.
“That is very difficult to explain. When we say what the market value of a home is, we think of a couple of things. It’s the price a willing buyer is willing to pay a willing seller. That price is controlled by the market, not by us,” she said.
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When asked whether she believes the state audit is warranted, Morgan said she couldn’t speak to that but expressed confidence in the work of her office.
She pointed to a letter from the Florida Department of Revenue, dated July 30, approving Duval County’s 2025 tax roll.
“This letter says the tax roll we sent was clean,” she said. “Again, we’re clear from the Department of Revenue, and all our numbers are out there for everyone to see. Everything is public record.”
Morgan added that DOGE auditors are welcome to access that data through the Department of Revenue if needed.
Homeowners can expect to receive their 2025 TRIM notices, which show proposed property tax amounts, in the mail as early as August 15.
If you disagree with your home’s assessed value, you have 25 days from the mailing date to file an appeal.