By Brian Nelson and Ed Kierce

Without canvassing everyone in the community, it’s probably safe to surmise that more than a few of us in Marsh Creek were hit with a BIG tax increase in this month’s TRIM notice from the St. Johns County Appraiser’s office. Our household saw a jump of $888.55.

MC neighbor, Ed Kierce, reports a tax increase of $1,170.56.

(Let us know if your tax bill went up or down in the comments section below)

There is some suspicion the county may be looking at Marsh Creek in particular, and other well-off communities, as piggy banks in a drive for more tax dollars.

Still, Property Appraiser Eddie Creamer reminded me in a recent email that we … yes, WE St. Johns County voters … “checked the box” for higher school taxes when we voted last November.

And sure enough, the lion’s share ($754.30) of our tax hike will squeeze us for more money for State and Local Public Schools. It’s a reminder that elections, and your vote, have consequences.

Still, when we voted in November, we felt paying a little more in school taxes (even without any kids of our own) is the right community thing to do. After all, better educated kids = better communities, right?

But $800 – $1100 more? Is that fair, or exorbitant and exploitative?

So, The Question…

Do you feel your taxes going up much more than your bargained for?

If so, what can be done?

There ARE a few things you CAN do:

FIRST: Find time on your calendars to attend the county’s upcoming public hearing for the school district.

Taxpayers (i.e. VOTERS) showing up in person in protest sends a powerful message that’s what’s planned is not acceptable.

The Upcoming public Hearing:

Sept. 11 | 5:30 p.m. | St. Johns County School District | 40 Orange St, St. Augustine

What Else?

Ed Kierce, who has thoroughly researched the issue, has additional suggestions and information:

1. Call SJC Tax Assessor and review the TRIM and Extra Features Section.

Access the SJC Tax Assessor website 

2. Send each SJC Commissioner an email to voice your displeasure with the proposed tax increases.

(see below for email addresses – separate email to each will avoid violation of the Florida Sunshine Law)

Focus on Column 3 as well as lines 5 and 6 (public schools). This is where the big increases are and need to be reduced substantially. Again, many residents approved the tax increase for the teachers without knowing what the tax implications would be. Lesson learned going forward…

3. Attend the Public Hearing on Public School Local/State Tax Increase on September 11th held at 40 Orange Street,  St Augustine (Public School Office Downtown)

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SJC Commissioner e-mail Addresses

Christian Whitehurst District 1 Commissioner bcc1cwhitehurst@sjcfl.us    

Sarah Arnold District 2 Commissioner  bcc2sarnold@sjcfl.us

Clay Murphy District 3 Commissioner bcc3cmurphy@sjcfl.us

Krista Joseph Commissioner District 4 bcc4kjoseph@sjcfl.us

Ann Taylor Commissioner District 5 bcc5ataylor@sjcfl.us

Additional Info

News Articles on Board Action and Their Voting

St Johns County Aims to Minimize Taxes Tax Increase Further

https://jaxtoday.org/2025/07/23/st-johns-county-aims-to-minimize-tax-increase

St Johns County Trims Budget and Taxes Further

https://jaxtoday.org/2025/09/04/st-johns-county-trims-budget-and-taxes-further

Here’s What St Johns County Homeowners Can Expect to Pay In Property Taxes in 2026

https://sjcitizen.com/heres-what-st-johns-county-homeowners-can-expect-to-pay-in-property-taxes-in-2026