Florida Property Tax Amendment Sparks Debate Over County Budgets

Voters will decide in November on an amendment that raises the homestead exemption from $50,000 to $150,000 in FY 2027 and to $250,000 in FY 2028, caps non-homestead assessment growth at 5%, requires five-year residency, and needs 60 % approval.

CNN

Thirty-four states enacted property-tax reforms from 2020-2025, echoing California’s 1978 Proposition 13 as home values rose 27 % faster than inflation.

CNN

The Florida Association of Counties projects a $3.6 billion shortfall in 2027 and $6.4 billion in 2028. Hillsborough estimates $367 million annually, possibly $500 million. Broward and Palm Beach expect $1.2 billion and $1 billion cuts. Property-tax levies rose over 40 % in three years.

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Oviedo’s $18 million police station may become redundant if the amendment forces the city to dissolve its police force and shift duties to Seminole County. Hillsborough officials warn the loss could trigger layoffs, wage freezes and new fees for services.

CNN

Gov. Ron DeSantis promoted the amendment as tax relief; the legislature approved only a narrower exemption increase. The Florida Association of Counties warned it would make “every county fiscally constrained.” Budget director Tom Fesler said the loss would “make it very difficult to maintain public safety.” Mayor Sladek warned of “a crazy domino effect of unintended consequences.”

Florida Politics

Commissioner Harry Cohen called it “something that will completely upend the way governments are funded in our state,” warning of safety cuts. Libertarian Party chair Hector Roos called it a move toward ending “permanent renters to the government.” Commissioner Joshua Wostal urged voters to treat the analysis “with a grain of salt,” saying it overstated damage.

WUSF - NPR - Tampa

Revenue-loss estimates differ: Hillsborough sees $367 million versus $500 million; statewide county budgets range from $3.6 billion to $6.4 billion; Broward and Palm Beach figures vary. The amendment lacks a state-level backstop and faces a legal challenge over the five-year residency rule, which critics say discriminates against newer residents.

WTVT - Fox 13 - Tampa Bay

• “What kind of fools would we be to invest in a police station when we don’t know whether we can afford to operate a police department?” — Megan Sladek, Mayor of Oviedo

CNN

• “This is something that will completely upend the way that governments are funded in our state.” — Harry Cohen, Hillsborough County Commissioner

WTVT - Fox 13 - Tampa Bay

• “People should not be permanent renters to the government.” — Hector Roos, Chair, Libertarian Party of Miami-Dade County

CNN

• “It makes it very, very difficult for us to make any decisions about how we move forward in a number of areas, because there's such a drastic difference between what we have now and what might occur after November.” — Tom Fesler, Budget Director, Hillsborough County

Florida Politics

The amendment appears on the November 2026 ballot, requiring 60 % approval. Legal challenges over the residency rule are pending, and county commissions plan workshops to design budget adjustments if it passes.

Florida Politics