TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Florida taxpayers provide billions of dollars for the state’s 67 counties and hundreds of other municipal governments and taxing districts to spend. It is often difficult, however, for taxpayers to find comprehensive information on their local government’s revenues and expenditures that also provides comparisons with other jurisdictions and their ranking within Florida. The research contained within How Florida Counties Compare provides greater clarity in local public finance.

More than half of all Florida government revenue is raised at the local level rather than by the state. That is one of the highest levels in the nation.

And while in the next few months Florida’s property owners will receive a “TRIM notice” explaining how much they are paying in property taxes and how that money is being spent, it is difficult to assess all of the other taxes paid by hard-working Floridians.

The pocket guide looks at local governments within the state, particularly their tax rates, tax revenue, county expenditures and more. There are more than 50 tables, charts, and graphs providing taxpayers, policymakers and elected officials thorough and comprehensive information on numerous financial, monetary and economic figures of every county in Florida.

While the focus is on county and municipal governments, we have included information on all types of local jurisdictions, including special districts and school districts, and most data are grouped geographically by county.

"This report gives Florida taxpayers more information about how their local governments stack up against other counties. However, it does not attempt to compare or evaluate levels of service, "said Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro. “We want residents to use this report to make an informed assessment on their government’s budget."

“Much thanks to Florida TaxWatch for the information provided in the "How Florida Counties Compare" report. It is a detailed piece that provides Floridians with information on how much is paid in county taxes across the state and how the money is spent,” said Leon County Commissioner and President-Elect of the National Association of Counties Bryan Desloge.

Click here for this year’s edition of “How Florida Counties Compare.”

About Florida TaxWatch

As an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit taxpayer research institute & government watchdog for more than one third of a century, Florida TaxWatch works to improve the productivity and accountability of Florida government. Its research recommends productivity enhancements and explains the statewide impact of fiscal and economic policies and practices on citizens and businesses.

Florida TaxWatch is supported by voluntary, tax-deductible donations and private grants, and does not accept government funding. Donations provide a solid, lasting foundation that has enabled Florida TaxWatch to bring about a more effective, responsive government that is more accountable to, and productive for, the citizens it serves since 1979. For more information, please visit http://www.floridataxwatch.org.