August 2026 Downs Property Digest
- Vickie A. Downs
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
A Message from Your Property Appraiser, Vickie A. Downs
Dear Collier County Residents,
August is one of the busiest and most important months of the year for our office. This month, TRIM Notices were mailed to property owners across Collier County, giving you the opportunity to review your property’s value, exemptions, proposed tax rates, and estimated property taxes.
I encourage every property owner to take the time to review their notice. If something doesn't look right or you simply have a question, please reach out to us. Our team is here to help you understand your property record and how your assessment was determined.
This month, I also want to explain a question we hear frequently: “Why did my market value go down, but my assessed value go up?” The answer often involves Florida's Save Our Homes law, and we've included an example below that helps illustrate how this works.
We also continue to provide factual information regarding Amendment 3, including the recently revised ballot title and summary. As your Property Appraiser, my commitment is to give you the facts and information you need to understand issues that could affect property owners and our community.
As always, thank you for allowing us to serve you.
Warmly,
Vickie A. Downs
Collier County Property Appraiser
🏡 Property Tax Discussion
There has been an important update regarding the proposed property tax constitutional amendment that Florida voters will consider in November 2026.
Following a Leon County court order, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier submitted a rewritten ballot title and summary.
The previous title was:
“Save Our Homes From Excessive Property Taxes”
The new title is:
“Increased Homestead Exemption; Lower Cap on Increases in Non-Homesteaded Property Assessments”
If approved by at least 60% of Florida voters, the proposal would increase the homestead exemption for non-school taxes to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, with inflation adjustments thereafter. It would also reduce the annual assessment cap on certain non-homestead property from 10% to 5%.
School district levies would not be affected by the increased exemption.
Our office will continue providing Collier County property owners with factual information and analysis as we approach the November election.
The Collier County Property Appraiser's Office does not endorse, oppose, or advocate for any proposed constitutional amendment. We are committed to providing factual, nonpartisan information to help keep the public informed.
🏡 2026 TRIM Notices Have Been Mailed
Collier County property owners began receiving their 2026 TRIM Notices on August 17.
TRIM stands for Truth in Millage, and this annual notice provides important information about your property, including your market and assessed values, exemptions, proposed tax rates, estimated property taxes, and public hearing information for your taxing authorities.
Remember: The Collier County Property Appraiser's Office determines property values and administers exemptions. We do not set tax rates or collect property taxes. Tax rates are established by the individual taxing authorities listed on your TRIM Notice.
You can also view your property information online at CollierAppraiser.com.
If you have questions about your property's value or exemptions after reviewing your TRIM Notice, our team is here to help.
🏡 2026 Collier County Tax Roll Approved
We're proud to announce that the Florida Department of Revenue has officially approved the 2026 Collier County Tax Roll, confirming that it complies with the requirements of Florida law.
Preparing and maintaining the tax roll is one of the most important responsibilities of the Property Appraiser's Office, and its completion requires work from virtually every part of our organization.
From property valuation and exemptions to ownership records, technology, mapping, and customer service, every department plays an important role in delivering a fair, accurate, and equitable tax roll for Collier County.
We want to recognize and thank our entire team for the hard work, expertise, and attention to detail that made this achievement possible.
Their continued commitment to excellence and public service allows our office to serve Collier County property owners each and every day.
🏡 Why Did My Market Value Go Down, But My Assessed Value Go Up?
📲 Stay Connected with Our New Text Alerts
We’re excited to announce that the Collier County Property Appraiser’s Office is now offering text message updates for residents and property owners.
Subscribers will receive important reminders, deadlines, office updates, and the latest edition of the Downs Property Digest — all delivered directly to your phone. We’ll typically only text about once per month, and we promise not to spam you. You are able to opt out at any time by replying STOP.
📱 Sign up for text notifications here:👉 https://www.downspropertydigest.com/lead-collection
Stay informed and never miss an important update from our office.
💡Out in the Community
Property Appraiser Vickie Downs and Director of Homestead Annabel recently visited Bentley Village to provide residents with an update from the Collier County Property Appraiser's Office.
The presentation provided an opportunity to discuss property assessments, homestead exemptions, Save Our Homes, TRIM Notices, and other topics important to Collier County property owners. Most importantly, Vickie and Annabel were able to answer questions directly from residents.
Thank you to Bentley Village for the warm welcome and for inviting our office to spend time with your community!
Vickie and Annabel also had the pleasure of speaking with the Sea Stars of Naples this month. They provided an update on the Property Appraiser's Office, discussed important property-related topics, and answered questions from members.
Community education is an important part of what we do. We appreciate every opportunity to meet with Collier County residents and help property owners better understand the services and resources available through our office. Thank you to the Sea Stars of Naples for having us!
💡FAQ Spotlight: Protect Your Property from Fraud
Q: What’s one easy thing I can do to protect my property from fraud?
A: Enroll in the Clerk’s Risk Alert Program.
Scammers can file fake deeds, liens, or mortgages to steal property or delay sales. Collier County residents can now get notified when any document is recorded against their property.
Sign up today to stay protected:👉 https://cor.collierclerk.com/coraccess/alerts
As always, thank you for allowing us to serve you. We’ll see you next month with more updates, resources, and community highlights!
✅ Need Info Now? Check Out Our Website
Whether you're a homeowner or a business owner, we encourage you to visit our office online at collierappraiser.com. You’ll find:
Tools to file for Homestead Exemption
Resources for Tangible Personal Property
FAQs, forms, deadlines, and more
Contact info, office hours, and directions
And now, the option to sign up for this monthly digest straight to your inbox!
We’re working hard to make your experience with our office as smooth and helpful as possible — 24/7. Did you know you can now do a self-service data download for your files? Learn more, along with instructions, on our website at collierappraiser.com.
Invite Us to Speak at Your Next Event
Did you know that educating our community is one of our top priorities? Property Appraiser Vickie A. Downs and our knowledgeable staff love connecting with local residents, real estate professionals, civic groups, and schools to help demystify what our office does — and why it matters. Whether it’s explaining property valuation, homestead exemptions, or how your tax dollars are calculated, we’re here to help! Interested in having a speaker from our office? Email vdowns@collierappraiser.com to request a speaker for your next meeting or event.
Was this email forwarded to you? Want to get the Downs Property Digest delivered to your inbox each month? Subscribe now at DownsPropertyDigest.com.
Comments