Mill Levies

The mill levy is the tax rate applied to the assessed value. One mill is one dollar per $1,000 of assessed valuation. The County Clerk computes the mill levies for local taxing authorities by dividing the portion of the taxing authority’s budget that is property tax funded by the taxable assessed value in the taxing authority’s service area. 

Revenue from Property Tax Levies

Local taxing authorities do not receive more money by raising property values. Changes in property values do not change the number of tax dollars needed for local services. A local taxing authority has the authority to levy a tax on property within its jurisdiction based on the amount of money needed to provide public services. The local taxing authority’s budgets are published, public hearings are completed, and budgets are set in August for each year.

Most Common Taxing Authorities

• Ambulance
• Cemeteries
• City
• County
• Fire
• Hospital
• Improvement districts for sewers, streets, water, etc.
• Local Unified School District
• Statewide Unified School District
• State
• Townships
• Watersheds