One of the state’s most significant grassroots environment groups warns that an increased homestead tax exemption could “effectively gut the budgets of local governments.”
Sierra Club Florida says Amendment 3, which would increase the tax break to $250,000 by 2028 on primary homes (excluding school levies, for which the exemption would stay the same), would “be devastating as property taxes are a critical source of local revenue that supports county and city parks, land preserves, and other public spaces, as well as public safety, schools, and hospitals.”
Under the amendment, local governments would be limited in what they can fund with remaining ad valorem revenue to categories including public safety, infrastructure, schools, natural resource projects, debt service, pensions and government operations. County constitutional officers — such as Elections Supervisors, Clerks of Court and Property Appraisers — as well as County and City Commissions, would also be funded.
The Sierra Club said key environmental priorities would get short shrift if the measure clears 60% support in November.
“If Amendment 3 passes, municipalities will no longer be able to fund stormwater management and runoff programs, flood mitigation, and fire prevention and abatement at the level they do now,” the group said.
“As climate change fuels stronger and wetter storms, local governments’ abilities to prepare their communities by constructing sea walls, trimming trees, and other storm hardening preparations will be cut drastically, leaving communities unprotected from the effects felt during the annual hurricane seasons.”
Ultimately, the Sierra Club believes “local governments are likely to charge their residents fees to raise the revenue necessary to fund parks and public spaces as well as storm hardening preparation.”
While numerous political committees, unions such as the Florida Sheriffs Association, the Florida State Fraternal Order of Police and the Florida Professional Firefighters, and various local officials have come out against the proposal, it seems to have tailwinds going into the stretch run.
The Florida Realtors contributed $10 million to their own Vote Yes on 3 political committee last week, meaning that a proposal that has up until now lacked advertising muscle behind it will be able to spend on earned media in the two months left before Election Day.
But the Sierra Club says nominal savings come at a dear price.
“Florida voters who are seeking relief and affordability should know that Amendment 3 is, in fact, the most expensive choice on the ballot,” the group argued.