THE MATH DOESN’T WORK: Essential Services Will Be Cut Beyond the Bone, and Into the Muscle
PLUS: Comments from Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (October 13, 2026) – Bay County Commissioner Doug Moore (R), Panama City Commissioner Janice Lucas (D), former Mayors Scott Clemons (D) and Greg Brudnicki (I) join forces to oppose Amendment 3. This bipartisan group of current and former elected leaders warn that cuts to essential services will go beyond the bone, and into the muscle.
Moore, Lucas, Clemons and Brudnicki were joined by Sarah Burris, President of the Friends of the Bay County Public Libraries to educate voters about the negative consequences of Amendment 3.
Under Amendment 3, one of two things will happen:
- Critical Cuts to Critical Services like police, fire, EMS, roads, bridges, stormwater services, parks, libraries and veteran services will occur, or
- A Tax Shift onto those that can least afford it – renters, businesses and non-homesteaded property owners like large landowners and others.
“Under Amendment 3, the math doesn’t work,” said Edie Ousley, spokesperson for the Vote No on Amendment 3 campaign. “You pay more while others pay less, and we all lose with cuts to police, fire and other vital local services. The cuts to Panama City’s budget will go beyond the bone, and into the muscle.”
Here’s what community leaders are saying about Amendment 3:
Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford: “I support meaningful property-tax reform, but my concern with Amendment 3 is that it does not provide clear protections or a sustainable funding plan for the public safety services our citizens depend on every day. Bay County has reduced crime by more than 50 percent over the past decade, and any fundamental change to our tax structure deserves a thorough understanding of how those services will be maintained.”
Bay County Commissioner Doug Moore (R): “Amendment 3 cuts existing funding without identifying or explaining how the resulting budget hole will be filled and what defines ‘core services,’ and a constitutional amendment is nearly impossible to undo once voters approve it. If this change has merit, the Florida Legislature can pursue it by statute, where the funding gap can be addressed up front and the policy can be adjusted if it doesn’t work. With this change, Tallahassee determines core services for you and not our local community.”
Panama City Commissioner Janice Lucas (D): “Saying no to a funding plan is not enough—we must offer a responsible alternative to replace the revenue that would be lost and sustain essential public services. We cannot leave residents who can least afford it to bear the burden through higher taxes and fees.”
Greg Brudnicki (I), Former Panama City Mayor: “This is not a Republic thing. This is not a Democrat thing. This is about the safety and security of your county and city. Vote no on Amendment 3 so we do not defund the police.”
Scott Clemons (D), Former Panama City Mayor: “The time I spent in the library as a child sparked my curiosity and love for reading. Amendment 3 would result in dramatic cuts that might deny children the opportunities that shaped my life.”
Sarah Burris, President, Friends of the Bay County Libraries: “If Amendment 3 passes, the Bay County Public Library will pay the price and will no longer be able to provide its current level of service to the community. Bay County funding for the library may be eliminated altogether.”
The comments shared by these bipartisan leaders echoed those shared earlier this month by public safety leaders, including the:
- Florida Sheriffs Association,
- Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association,
- Florida’s Professional Firefighters,
- Florida Fraternal Order of Police,
- Florida Police Chief Association,
- Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, and others.
Additionally, these concerns were shared just two weeks ago by:
- Walton County Sheriff Michael Adkinson,
- Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association President, Fire Chief Ryan Crawford of the South Walton Fire District,
- Bonifay Fire-Rescue Chief Travis Cook, and
- Alaqua Animal Refuge Chairman of the Board Scott Russell.
For information on how to get involved, visit www.VoteNoOnAmendment3.com.
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