Florida property tax relief proposal could cost Palm Beach County hundreds of millions in services
By Wilkine Brutus
June 11, 2026 at 4:05 PM EDT
Palm Beach County leaders say they are preparing for what could be the biggest budget cuts ever — up to $324 million in operations costs over two years — if Florida voters in November approve a ballot item to reduce state property taxes.
If 60% of Florida voters approve, the existing $50,000 tax exemption for homestead properties would rise to $150,000 in 2027 and to $250,000 in 2028.
In Palm Beach County, say leaders, funds that support public parks, libraries and other essential services would be in jeopardy.
As a result, Palm Beach County commissioners are considering cuts to the sheriff's budget, increasing beach parking fees, and other revenue streams to offset the shortfall.
"Preliminary estimates indicate that funding available for the County’s 30 Board-directed departments could decrease from approximately $609 million to approximately $376 million, representing a reduction of more than 38 percent in current operating revenue," county officials said in a statement.
County Commissioner Maria Marino continued to raise concerns over the high cost of homeowners insurance — not property taxes — reiterating her stance during this week's commission meeting.
We're under attack with property taxes, which are a write off, a deduction on our income taxes, but my homeowners insurance is escalating, and there's no cap on the escalation and there's nothing I can do with that," she said.
"I'm happy to pay my $6,000 a year on property taxes, because I know I'm getting parks and roads and infrastructure," she said.
Approval of a final budget will be decided in September.
READ MORE: Lawsuit claims proposed property tax amendment’s ballot language is ‘biased’
The county’s upcoming budget plans are separate from the potential impact of the statewide property tax ballot measure.
During a commission meeting this week, County Administrator Joseph Abruzzo presented a proposed FY2027 budget with about $35 million in cuts, following county commissioners’ direction to maintain or reduce the countywide millage rate while preserving core services. He said that his staff, despite the large funding shortfall, would be able to maintain its operations.
"We are making arguably the largest cut potentially in history to the PBC departments and operating funds, but I can tell you we feel comfortable running the government with these cuts,” Abruzzo said. "We don't believe it will throw any types of services out of whack, and we will be, in my estimation, extremely fiscally responsible."
The state's property tax proposal is a major topic of concern for counties and local municipalities throughout Florida following the Legislature approving the ballot initiative.
The Republican-majority Legislature this month passed the state property tax relief bill written by Gov. Ron DeSantis during a special session. GOP leaders amended the bill to exempt taxes levied to fund schools, but city and county officials across the state have warned if voters approve it their budgets — and the services they provide to residents — will suffer.
DeSantis and supporters of the measure, though, have largely waved those critiques away, claiming local governments have overtaxed homeowners as property values have risen in recent years and now they need to rein in spending.
According to a House staff analysis the measure could cost local governments $8.4 billion per year, if it gets the necessary 60% support from voters to pass into law.
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story misattributed County Administrator Joseph Abruzzo comments during a Florida Property Tax Amendment briefing. County officials clarified that Abruzzo was referring to the $35 million in internal savings, not the larger potential losses if voters approve the amendment in November.
The News Service of Florida contributed to this story.
If 60% of Florida voters approve, the existing $50,000 tax exemption for homestead properties would rise to $150,000 in 2027 and to $250,000 in 2028.
In Palm Beach County, say leaders, funds that support public parks, libraries and other essential services would be in jeopardy.
As a result, Palm Beach County commissioners are considering cuts to the sheriff's budget, increasing beach parking fees, and other revenue streams to offset the shortfall.
"Preliminary estimates indicate that funding available for the County’s 30 Board-directed departments could decrease from approximately $609 million to approximately $376 million, representing a reduction of more than 38 percent in current operating revenue," county officials said in a statement.
County Commissioner Maria Marino continued to raise concerns over the high cost of homeowners insurance — not property taxes — reiterating her stance during this week's commission meeting.
We're under attack with property taxes, which are a write off, a deduction on our income taxes, but my homeowners insurance is escalating, and there's no cap on the escalation and there's nothing I can do with that," she said.
"I'm happy to pay my $6,000 a year on property taxes, because I know I'm getting parks and roads and infrastructure," she said.
Approval of a final budget will be decided in September.
READ MORE: Lawsuit claims proposed property tax amendment’s ballot language is ‘biased’
The county’s upcoming budget plans are separate from the potential impact of the statewide property tax ballot measure.
During a commission meeting this week, County Administrator Joseph Abruzzo presented a proposed FY2027 budget with about $35 million in cuts, following county commissioners’ direction to maintain or reduce the countywide millage rate while preserving core services. He said that his staff, despite the large funding shortfall, would be able to maintain its operations.
"We are making arguably the largest cut potentially in history to the PBC departments and operating funds, but I can tell you we feel comfortable running the government with these cuts,” Abruzzo said. "We don't believe it will throw any types of services out of whack, and we will be, in my estimation, extremely fiscally responsible."
The state's property tax proposal is a major topic of concern for counties and local municipalities throughout Florida following the Legislature approving the ballot initiative.
The Republican-majority Legislature this month passed the state property tax relief bill written by Gov. Ron DeSantis during a special session. GOP leaders amended the bill to exempt taxes levied to fund schools, but city and county officials across the state have warned if voters approve it their budgets — and the services they provide to residents — will suffer.
DeSantis and supporters of the measure, though, have largely waved those critiques away, claiming local governments have overtaxed homeowners as property values have risen in recent years and now they need to rein in spending.
According to a House staff analysis the measure could cost local governments $8.4 billion per year, if it gets the necessary 60% support from voters to pass into law.
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story misattributed County Administrator Joseph Abruzzo comments during a Florida Property Tax Amendment briefing. County officials clarified that Abruzzo was referring to the $35 million in internal savings, not the larger potential losses if voters approve the amendment in November.
The News Service of Florida contributed to this story.