JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Voters have a new tool available to them to see the impacts of the proposed property tax amendment on their local governments.
For months, web-based calculators like the one offered by MyExemptionCheck.com, have shown Florida homeowners how much they’d save on their property tax bill if Amendment 3 passes.
Now, the Florida Policy Institute has launched its own calculator, showing the other side of the coin.
By simply entering your zip code, you’ll get a full accounting of the revenues your local governments would lose if Amendment 3 passes in November.
The tool goes beyond just the hit to local cities and counties and also factors in special districts.
For example, in Clay County, it shows local law enforcement would lose $27 million over the first two years.
FPI Director of Research Dr. Esteban Santis said they developed the tool to ensure voters can see the full scope of Amendment 3’s impacts.
“Giving Floridians the opportunity to see what are the public services, special districts, how are your counties and your municipalities going to be impacted by Amendment 3,” said Santis.
But some take issue with the way the new calculator presents the data.
For example, council auditors found Jacksonville stands to lose about $200 million in 2028 and $300 million in 2029.
The FPI calculator comes up with similar numbers, but also presents a total cut over two years of more than $500 million.
Jacksonville City Council member Ron Salem (R-Group 2 At-Large) argued that implies cuts 66 percent larger than reality.
“They may be trying to mislead. I hope that’s not the case, but that is very misleading,” said Salem.
But Santis argued the cuts would be recurring, and the city would in fact lose a total of half a billion dollars over two years.
“And it’s a conservative estimate, given that this could change in the future if we continue to add to this homestead exemption if Amendment 3 would pass. So, if anything, the cost could be even more,” said Santis.
Whether you look at it as $500 million over two years, or $300 million annually, both Santis and Salem agreed major cuts will have to be made.
Salem said virtually everything outside of public safety in Duval would likely see sizable budget reductions if Amendment 3 passes.
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