For firefighters, every second counts. But Public Safety leaders say the money that keeps those emergency crews ready could also be on the line.
“Just sustainable funding for public safety, right? Like, how are we going to sustain the core services that citizens depend on day in and day out when you have this diminishing revenue source?” Fire Chief Association President Ryan Crawford said.
Amendment 3 would increase Florida’s homestead exemption for non-school property taxes to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 beginning in 2028.
It would also lower the annual assessment cap on non-homestead property from 10% to 5%.
But Public Safety leaders say that could mean less recurring revenue for local governments and could affect many of those who need it.
They stress the impact won’t be the same everywhere.
“What impacts a sheriff in South Walton from the tax reform standpoint, will be very differently affected in communities like Bonifay or the Panama City Beaches, because they have a much higher percentage of homestead properties,” Crawford said.
Travis Cook says Bonifay’s fire department has already seen improvements after using additional tax revenue to fund its first paid firefighter position.
But now he worries that losing revenue could eventually mean fewer resources.
“My fear is this funding being cut. We have made strides forward. It would be a step backwards for us to go strictly volunteer,” Cook said.
Public Safety says that many voters don’t even know what Amendment 3 is and don’t know what the possible effects of it can be. And that can have an effect on the way they vote in November.
“The legislature has put this on the ballot for voters to decide on. And I think a lot of people are making a decision that may not understand all the consequences of that decision,” Crawford said.
Leaders from law enforcement and animal services say reduced local resources could shift costs onto other agencies and nonprofits, especially in rural communities.
Read the full news article on MyPanhandle.com