Sheriffs, police, firefighters groups sound alarm over property tax measure

Public safety organizations are warning voters about a proposed property tax amendment that will appear on Florida’s November ballot.

On Monday, the Florida Sheriffs Association released a statement saying it is “significantly concerned” about Amendment 3, which, if approved, would increase the homestead exemption from $50,000 to $250,000 over two years.

The association is the latest in a growing list of groups opposing the measure, joining the Florida State Fraternal Order of Police, Florida Professional Firefighters, the Florida Fire Chiefs Association and several county sheriffs who warn the tax cut could affect funding for first responder services.

The amendment “potentially allows Tallahassee to control your local budgets, creates longer law enforcement times, limits communities’ abilities to provide road repairs and stormwater removal — these are a few of the things voters need to be aware of,” the Florida Sheriffs Association said in a statement.

Constitutional amendments require 60% voter approval to pass in Florida. If approved, Amendment 3 would increase the homestead exemption to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028. The expanded exemption would not apply to the portion of property taxes that funds K-12 public schools.

Lawmakers approved the measure during a special session this spring after it was drafted by Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office. DeSantis spent more than a year promoting property tax relief, arguing that tax bills had increased because of rising property assessments and that local governments had not done enough to reduce revenues.

After legislative leaders amended the proposal to exclude school taxes from the expanded exemption, DeSantis said he would vote for the measure but would not campaign for it.

Meanwhile, city and county officials across the state have warned that local services could suffer if the amendment is approved.

Public safety accounts for the largest budget item in 80% of Florida communities, according to the Vote No on 3 campaign.

Several county sheriffs have already voiced concerns about the proposal, including Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd and Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri.

Gualtieri said the ballot measure differs from the proposal DeSantis originally presented and questioned why it does not include protections for public safety funding.

“Is Tallahassee now going to control half the budgets and have to fund the local services for medium-sized and smaller governments? What’s going to happen with that? There’s no plan,” Gualtieri told the News Service of Florida.

Gualtieri said about 85% of public safety budgets are dedicated to personnel costs.

Judd, who also chairs the State Immigration Enforcement Council, said the tax cut could have “unintended consequences” if voters approve it.

“In its current form, I fear the proposal will devastate counties’ and cities’ ability to deliver vital services, including emergency services, to our citizens,” he said.

In July, the Florida State Fraternal Order of Police, which represents about 24,000 law enforcement officers statewide, announced its opposition to Amendment 3.

“Public safety should never become collateral damage with uncertain fiscal consequences,” the union said in a statement.

The Florida Fire Chiefs Association also said it could not support the amendment in its current form.

“Constitutional Amendment No. 3 creates substantial uncertainty regarding the future funding of fire protection, emergency medical services, and disaster response without identifying a sustainable replacement revenue source,” the association said in a statement.