Santa Rosa County Fiscal Year 2021 Budget-in-Brief

The Board of County Commissioners adopted the fiscal year 2021 budget on Sept. 29, 2020, at the final public hearing. The development of the FY21 budget reflects the commissioners' consistent fiscally conservative approach to budgeting by holding the property tax millage rate constant for the twelfth consecutive year. The commissioners remain committed to excellence and innovation by being vigilant in adapting to economic factors, service demands, and technological enhancements. The total budget of $165,935,810 represents a 6.84 percent decrease from the last fiscal year.

Using the net budget of $146,220,460, which is the total budget less fund transfers, county services cost residents $2.20 per day. 

What does $2.20 buy?

Santa Rosa County is home to approximately 182,000 residents and boasts the second-lowest taxation per capita in Florida according to Florida Tax Watch. In the last ten years, the county has experienced an average annual growth rate of less than two percent. Of the county’s total population, 91 percent reside in unincorporated areas, which is substantially higher than the state average of 67 percent. By comparison, 82 percent of Escambia and 57 percent of Okaloosa’s population resides in unincorporated areas. Santa Rosa County is responsible for being the sole service provider to a higher proportion of its citizens than its neighboring counties.

The budget-in-brief document is available online and contains this information and more. The document is designed to communicate the basic information for the FY21 annual operating budget.

For more information, contact the Santa Rosa County Office of Management and Budget, 850-983-1953.

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