Florida local governments plan for Amendment 3 cuts

Cuts under review

Cities and counties across Florida are drafting plans to reduce services if voters approve Amendment 3 in November. Local officials have warned that police, fire protection, libraries, parks and other community programs could face budget pressure as property-tax revenue falls.

Potential steps include freezing hiring, postponing major construction projects and raising fees. Some local governments are discussing county gas taxes, beach parking charges and other ways to pay for services that currently rely on property taxes.

Citrus County Commissioner Holly Davis identified parks, pools, libraries and senior services among the programs that could be affected. Several governments have prepared separate budgets for approval and rejection of the amendment.

What Amendment 3 would change

Amendment 3 would raise Florida’s homestead exemption for non-school property taxes from to in 2027 and then to in 2028. Homeowners would need five years of Florida residency to qualify for the expanded exemption.

State economists estimate cities and counties would lose billion in tax revenue in 2027 and almost billion by 2031. Heavily residential communities could face a greater effect than places with larger commercial and industrial tax bases.

The November decision

The amendment needs support from at least 60% of voters to become part of the Florida Constitution. Gov. Ron DeSantis has said he is unsure whether it will reach that threshold and has dismissed local officials’ warnings as overstated.

Florida Realtors has put into Vote Yes on 3. Two political committees opposing the measure are backed by representatives of law enforcement, firefighters, environmental groups, economic development organizations and the Florida Democratic Party.