County Government Revenue Sources
Counties, municipalities and special districts share many common revenue sources that fund government services. According to the Florida Comptroller's Office, the major sources of revenue for county governments are:
- Charges for Services
- Ad Valorem Property Taxes
- Intergovernmental Revenue
- Sales and Use Taxes
- Licenses and Permit Fees
- Fines and Forfeitures
- Miscellaneous Revenues
- Utility Taxes
The largest revenue source for counties, Charges for Services are payments based on the consumption of publicly provided goods and services, such as garbage collection, water service, fire protection or ambulance service, and recreation services.
Ad Valorem Property Taxes are the second largest revenue source for counties, with Intergovernmental Revenues from grants and other federal and state government transfers constituting the third largest revenue source for counties.
Franchise fees, licenses and permits, and sales and use taxes are also county government revenue sources.
County Government Expenditures
County government spends money on the level of services its residents choose. According to the Florida Comptroller's Office, the eight primary categories of county government expenditures are:
- General Government Services - daily government operations.
- Public Safety - correctional facilities, ambulance and rescue services, etc.
- Physical Environment - garbage collection, water and sewer services, etc.
- Transportation - road construction and maintenance, airports, etc.
- Economic Development - industrial park development, etc.
- Human Services - treatment of mental illness and injury.
- Recreation - parks, libraries, recreation, etc.
- Debt Service - fees associated with county bond issues.
