by Joe Potter
Truth in Millage (TRIM) tool informs property owners of proposed property tax rates. Zephyrhills Finance Director Ted Beason told City Council on July 27 that the city may list a rolled-back millage rate of 6.2375 on TRIM notices expected later this year from the Pasco County Property Appraiser’s office. TRIM, which stands for “Truth in Millage,” is the state-required notice that informs residents of proposed property tax changes.
Council approved Beason’s request to advertise the proposed rolled-back rate and set the first public hearing for September 14. Beason explained that the city’s current millage rate is 6.25 for fiscal year 2025–2026, which runs from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026, and that the new rate would apply to fiscal year 2026–2027, beginning October 1, 2026. Under Beason’s figures, if the city kept the rate at 6.25, Zephyrhills would take in about $21,000 more in revenue than it would under the rolled-back proposal.
The rolled-back rate is designed to account for changing property values from one year to the next while producing roughly the same amount of revenue as before. If values rise, officials generally must lower the millage rate to avoid collecting more than the prior year.
In other action, Council approved two bids to BRW Contracting for road work on Green Slope and Daughtery Roads, as well as Fort King Road and Eiland Boulevard. The projects are intended to improve safety at intersections by increasing pavement area, helping vehicles move through those areas more safely.
Council also heard a presentation from Hansel Rodriguez, Zephyrhills’ GIS/Community Planner, on a Multi-Use Trail currently under development. Rodriguez said portions of existing sidewalks included in the trail plan would be widened to eight feet, creating more room and a safer, more comfortable route for pedestrians and cyclists. The city envisions the trail connecting different parts of Zephyrhills to parks, schools, businesses, and areas of downtown.
Rodriguez noted that once completed, the trail is expected to draw new visitors and encourage economic development in the city, citing planning goals designed to make Zephyrhills easier—and more attractive—to explore.
Finally, Council agreed by consensus to waive permit fees that the Zephyrhills Museum of Military History would otherwise pay for improvements on city property, including a picnic-table site. The tables would be available for use by city workers and others, further supporting activity at the museum and surrounding grounds.
Cliff Moffitt, the president of the Museum of Military History, told Council members the 501c3 non-profit organization had received a grant for the development of the site where the picnic tables would be located.
