Jacksonville firefighters and police officers are urging voters to reject Amendment 3, saying the proposed property tax changes could reduce funding for public safety services.
A sign opposing the amendment has been placed near Interstate 10 and Interstate 95 by the Jacksonville Association of Fire Fighters (JAFF) and the Jacksonville Fraternal Order of Police (JFOP).
The proposed amendment would increase Florida’s homestead exemption for property taxes other than those levied for schools to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028. The exemption would be adjusted for inflation after that.
Gov. Ron DeSantis has long supported cutting or eliminating property taxes, saying Floridians need tax relief. Critics, including sheriffs and firefighters’ groups, say the amendment could reduce local government revenue and threaten funding for police, fire departments and other emergency response services.
Kelly Dobson, president of the JAFF, said Jacksonville could lose $200 million in city funding in the first year and $300 million in revenue in the second year under the plan.
“Jacksonville, right, the city’s still growing,” Dobson said. “We build fire stations; we staff those with members. Staffing is a big, big push throughout the country for firefighters.”
Dobson said the amendment does not identify a reliable funding source to replace the lost revenue.
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