property taxes

Miami-Dade libraries could lose $20 million under Amendment 3, the property tax referendum facing Florida voters this November — around 16% of its budget. The measure could cause branch closures, fewer hours, employee layoffs and program cuts.

Amendment 3, if voters say "yes", would increase the homestead property tax exemption from $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027, and it would rise to $250,000 in 2028. The 10 percent cap on annual assessment increases for non-homestead properties would be lowered to 5 percent.

Seven weeks before the Nov. 3 election, Florida organizations are taking stands on Amendment 3, which, if approved by 60 % of the voters, would substantially reduce homestead property taxes while simultaneously reducing revenues for local government services.

The Sierra Club has become the latest organization to announce opposition to Amendment 3 on the November ballot, saying that if passed it “will effectively gut the buckets of local governments in Florida.”

Florida's Republican candidate for governor spoke at a campaign event at TECO's new operations center in north Tampa.

In the first year of Amendment 3 being in effect, fire and ambulance services in the Lower Keys would have an estimated shortfall of $430,287. The following year it would rise to $606,572, according to a presentation given by the country's budget director.

For organizations such as the Escambia Children's Trust, the outcome could determine how much funding is available for programs designed to support children and families in their communities.

The proposal would ultimately let homeowners pay property taxes as if their homes were worth $250,000 less.

The proposed constitutional amendment, currently titled "Save Our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes," would raise Florida's homestead exemption to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, reduce the assessment-growth cap for non-homestead residential and commercial properties from 10% to 5%, and create a pathway toward eliminating non-school property taxes on homesteads.

A Florida circuit court judge has ordered Attorney General James Uthmeier to rewrite significant portions of the ballot and summary title of Amendment 3, ruling the words “Save our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes” are “akin to a political slogan” in violation of state law.

On "The Florida Roundup," Lt. Gov. Jay Collins talks about his goal to make Florida more affordable and the property tax amendment on November's ballot, along with other topics.

Public safety groups are warning voters about the property tax cut amendment that will appear on ballots this November.