Martin County, Florida
Our property taxes are out of control.
From 2018 to 2025, Martin County’s property-tax levy jumped 84%— while our population grew about 3%. That’s not growth paying its way. That’s a tax machine running on autopilot — and it’s why your bills, and your neighbors’ rent, keep climbing.
“But they didn’t raise the rate.”
They didn’t have to. When your home’s assessed value goes up, the county collects more money at the sametax rate — then takes a bow for “not raising taxes.” Florida law saw that trick coming. Every year it forces the county to publish the rolled-back rate: the rate that would collect the same total dollarsas last year. It’s the “no real tax increase” line.
For 2025, the Commission could have adopted the rolled-back rate and collected $324.8 million. Instead they adopted $360.2 million — $35 million more than a flat budget, in a single year. The millage barely moved (6.59 → 6.56), so they could say “we didn’t raise the rate.” The rolled-back number tells the truth.
Do that year after year for seven years and you get an 84% increase— on homeowners, on seniors on fixed incomes, on small businesses, and on every renter whose landlord has to pass the tax along. The county levy is the biggest driver of your bill, and it’s the one the County Commission directly controls.
Don’t take my word for it
The receipts
These aren’t my numbers — they’re the Martin County Property Appraiser’s official “Comparison of Taxes Levied” report, the same source and the same method Gov. DeSantis used for his county tax posts. Read them yourself.
Martin County
- 2018 county taxes
- $196 million
- 2025 county taxes
- $360 million
- Population growth
- ~3%
Property tax increase
84%
Source: Martin County Property Appraiser — Comparison of Taxes Levied, FY2018-19 & FY2025-26.
Source: Martin County Property Appraiser (form DR-403), required under §195.052, Fla. Stat. The figure is the County Commission’s own levy (county operating, fire/rescue, MSTUs) — it does not include schools or city taxes.
Who’s saying this
I’m Chris Lundstrom. I live in Hobe Sound, I’ve been a Martin County voter for 25 years, and I run a business here — which means I see firsthand how the county’s tax bill flows downhill to families and renters. I’m not waiting for permission to care about this. I’m going to show you, in plain English and with the receipts, exactly where your money goes — and make the case that it can be reversed.
Lower taxes mean lower pressure on rents, more room for small businesses, and a county people can still afford to retire in. That’s worth fighting for.
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