Manatee County Appraiser to Correct Property Valuation Errors After Tax Roll Mistake

The Manatee County Property Appraiser’s Office has agreed to correct significant errors in this year’s property tax rolls after discrepancies were identified in the aftermath of the 2024 hurricane season. Local officials in the town of Longboat Key reported that many properties on the Manatee County side of the barrier island received large assessment reductions despite not sustaining storm damage, contributing to a marked decrease in tax revenue for the municipality in fiscal year 2025.

Town leaders reviewed the assessments and found that first-floor units in several condominium complexes were classified as damaged and uninhabitable, even though they were elevated above flood levels and showed no physical damage. These incorrect classifications led to significant drops in property values and tax bills for units that did not suffer storm-related damage.

The town estimates the error may have reduced its tax revenue by several hundred thousand dollars, though the exact financial impact remains undetermined. After discussions between municipal officials and the Property Appraiser’s Office, the appraiser acknowledged the mistake and committed to restoring appropriate values for affected properties for the current tax year, pending evidence that necessary repairs or rebuilding were completed by the end of 2025.

Officials described the revised approach as part of efforts to improve communication and coordination between the county appraiser and local governments during future emergencies. Procedures are expected to be strengthened, including access to permitting systems and post-damage assessments, to avoid similar misclassifications in future tax rolls.

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