ORLANDO, Fla. — With Election Day days away, the argument over Amendment 3 played out twice this week in Orlando, as local leaders and even fellow Republicans clashed over whether bigger property tax breaks for homeowners are worth the hit to city and county budgets.
Speaking Friday before the Tiger Bay Club of Central Florida, Seminole County Commissioner Bob Dallari, a Republican, said the measure would force layoffs at the county sheriff’s office. He blamed state requirements for much of local budget growth, saying unfunded mandates in Seminole rose from about $66 million in 2017 to $144 million this year. State Rep. Berny Jacques, a Pinellas Republican, countered that local governments have plenty of money and that rising tax bills are pushing seniors on fixed incomes out of their homes.
A day earlier, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer joined area chamber of commerce leaders to urge a no vote, calling the plan bad for local businesses and the regional economy. Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings also spoke against it. County officials project Orange County would lose $165 million in fiscal 2027, growing to $275 million the next year.
Under the amendment, the homestead break on property taxes other than school levies would jump from today’s $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027, then reach $250,000 a year later. It would also cut the cap on yearly assessment increases from 10 percent to 5 percent. School taxes would stay in place, and newcomers would wait five years for the benefits.
Backers of the measure include the governor, Ron DeSantis, and Byron Donalds. The statewide Realtors group has spent $18 million on the yes campaign. The Florida Sheriffs Association and Florida Fire Chiefs Association are among the opponents. It needs 60 percent of the vote to pass.
In Orange County, more than 238,000 voters had already cast early ballots by Thursday. Voters looking for the measure will find it on the back of the ballot page.
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Filed under: Orlando FL Politics News
