Florida voters face a property tax choice

Amendment 3 on Florida's November ballot would cut property taxes, but realtors, sheriffs and local officials are clashing over whether it will strip funding from police, fire and emergency services.

Supporters say it protects public safety

Florida Realtors, the largest professional trade association in the state, says Amendment 3 requires local governments to use property taxes for public safety, schools, infrastructure and other critical needs.

GOP nominee backs the amendment

U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, the GOP gubernatorial nominee, said on October first in Lakeland that the governor and Legislature ensured first money must go to local law enforcement, fire departments and emergency personnel.

“The governor and the Legislature made sure that the first money that local governments spend has to be spent on local law enforcement and local fire departments and emergency personnel.”

Opponents warn of deep cuts ahead

A Vote No on 3 coalition including sheriffs and city and county leaders says sixty percent of property taxes go to public safety, and the amendment means deep cuts to sheriffs, firefighters and first responders.

“Amendment 3 means deep cuts to sheriffs, firefighters and first responders.”

Sheriff warns of reality check

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said on September fifteenth that law enforcement and emergency medical services are the largest chunk of city and county budgets, and the amendment will affect safety and security.

“To think you can have a draconian action like Amendment 3 and not affect your safety and security is not reality.”

Democratic nominee opposes the measure

Democratic gubernatorial nominee David Jolly said he is voting no over concerns Amendment 3 could defund law enforcement and local services.

The amendment lacks funding guarantees

The amendment requires remaining tax revenue be used for public safety and other services, but stops short of mandating police, fire and EMS be funded first or setting a minimum funding level.

Former senator sees no protection

Jeff Brandes, a former Republican state senator and founder of the nonprofit Florida Policy Project, said nothing in the amendment guarantees police or fire get funded first or are not cut.

“Nothing in the amendment guarantees police or fire get funded first, or are not cut. It only says they are among the things property tax revenue can fund. There is no requirement.”

What Amendment 3 would actually do

If sixty percent of voters approve it, Amendment 3 will raise the homestead exemption from fifty thousand dollars to one hundred fifty thousand dollars in twenty twenty-seven and to two hundred fifty thousand dollars in…

Tax savings for homeowners

For a four hundred thousand dollar primary residence in Broward County, the amendment would decrease the property tax bill by about two thousand six hundred seventy-two dollars in twenty twenty-eight, assuming the county keeps its…

Massive revenue loss projected

The Florida Legislature's Office of Economic and Demographic Research estimated Amendment 3 will cut thirteen point seven billion dollars in local government revenue in its first two years, and nearly twelve billion dollars annually thereafter.

Smaller cities face the biggest squeeze

In one hundred seventy-six of Florida's two hundred seventy-six cities, spending on police, fire and EMS exceeds all property tax revenue collected.

Counties depend heavily on public safety

In fifty-five of Florida's sixty-seven counties, public safety is the largest budget item, taking about eighty-five cents of every property tax dollar, according to a Florida Association of Counties analysis.

Rising costs make cuts inevitable

Experts said the cost of government, from fire trucks to insurance, has increased faster than inflation.The amendment's revenue decrease will force local governments to shrink public safety funding or cut money to parks and libraries.

Cities and counties face hard choices

Cities and counties could offset losses by raising tax rates on remaining properties or relying more on non-ad valorem taxes like sales taxes and motor fuel taxes.

“Many (governments) will likely adopt a combination of responses, raising taxes and fees while still cutting some services, including cuts to public safety budgets.”