July 2026 Downs Property Digest

Vickie A. Downs
Jul 28
5 min read

A Message from Your Property Appraiser, Vickie A. Downs

Dear Collier County Residents,

July has been a productive and exciting month at the Collier County Property Appraiser’s Office. One of the most important milestones in our annual assessment cycle was completed with the signing and submission of Collier County’s 2026 Preliminary Tax Roll. This represents months of careful research, inspections, data analysis, and review by our hardworking team to ensure property values are fair, accurate, and compliant with Florida law.

As always, our office remains committed to transparency and keeping residents informed. This month, much of the public conversation has centered on the proposed property tax amendment that will appear on the November ballot. Our responsibility is not to advocate for or against the amendment, but to provide reliable information so Collier County voters can better understand the proposal and make their own informed decisions.

It has also been wonderful to connect with so many residents at community events throughout July. From celebrating Independence Day at the City of Naples parade to attending local meetings and educational luncheons, I am grateful for every opportunity to listen, answer questions, and serve our community.

Warmly,

Vickie A. Downs

Collier County Property Appraiser

🏡 Property Tax Discussion

A proposed constitutional amendment related to Florida property taxes will appear on the November 2026 General Election ballot. If approved by at least 60% of Florida voters, the changes would take effect on January 1, 202

To help residents understand the proposal, our office has prepared resources that explain the amendment and its potential effects on Collier County. These resources include:

A printable informational handout explaining the proposed amendment
An estimated revenue-impact analysis prepared by our office
Information about the taxing authorities and public services that may be affected

The Collier County Property Appraiser’s Office does not advocate for or against any ballot measure. We encourage voters to review all available resources and make an informed decision based on accurate information.

Please remember that the amendment will not appear on the August Primary Election ballot. It is scheduled for the November General Election ballot.

🏡 Preparing the 2026 Preliminary Tax Roll

The Collier County Property Appraiser’s Office has completed and signed the 2026 Preliminary Tax Roll, an important step in Florida’s annual property assessment process.

Our office is responsible for locating, identifying, and valuing all real and tangible personal property in Collier County as of January 1 each year. The preliminary values are provided to the Florida Department of Revenue and local taxing authorities to assist them as they prepare their budgets and consider proposed millage rates.

It is important to remember that the Property Appraiser’s Office determines property values and administers exemptions. Our office does not set tax rates, collect taxes, or decide how tax revenue is spent. Those responsibilities belong to the respective taxing authorities.

Once the Department of Revenue completes its review and proposed tax rates have been established, property owners will receive their Truth in Millage (TRIM) Notice in August.

Your TRIM Notice will include:

Your property's market, assessed, and taxable values.
Any exemptions applied to your property.
Proposed tax rates from each taxing authority.
Dates and times for public budget hearings.

📲 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 A. Downs enjoyed hearing Greater Naples Fire Rescue Chief Chris Wolfe speak about Amendment 3 at the East Naples Civic & Commerce luncheon and the potential impacts it could have on our community.

Thank you to East Naples Civic & Commerce for hosting another informative luncheon and to Chief Wolfe for sharing his insight. It is always valuable to hear from local leaders and stay informed about issues affecting Collier County.

Property Appraiser Vickie A. Downs had a wonderful time participating in the City of Naples Fourth of July Parade and celebrating America’s 250th anniversary alongside residents, families, and community leaders.

A special thank-you to Kim Jokela with RE/MAX and Rick Jokela with Latitude 26 Home Watch for generously providing the vehicle used in the parade. Their support helped make the morning even more memorable.

Events like these remind us how fortunate we are to live in a community that comes together to celebrate our country, honor our freedoms, and support one another.

💡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.

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