BELLEAIR — Florida lawmakers are moving to eliminate property taxes on homesteaded properties through a constitutional amendment on the November ballot, and local officials say the impact on small communities would be devastating.
For months, municipal leaders have warned constituents that ad valorem taxes fund critical services including education, police, fire protection, emergency medical services and road maintenance.
At the Jan. 20 Belleair Town Commission meeting, staff presented data showing what the town stands to lose.
Finance Director Dan Carpenter said Belleair could lose $1 million in property tax revenue in the first year and $6 million to $7 million over 10 years.
“This would have a dramatic effect on a town such as ours,” Carpenter said.
He explained that roughly one-third of every property tax dollar goes to Pinellas County Schools, another third to the county and the remainder to the town.
In Belleair, with 4,000 residents and little commercial property, the loss would be catastrophic. Property taxes provide 70 percent of the town’s revenue, with other sources including permit fees and special assessments.
“Property taxes are the foundation of the town of Belleair’s quality of life,” Carpenter said, noting 60 percent of general fund property taxes support law enforcement, fire and emergency medical services.
Of Belleair’s 2,579 parcels — 1,305 single-family homes, 1,086 condos and 188 other structures — some 1,570 properties are homesteaded and 483 are not. Homesteaded properties represent 70 percent of the town’s taxable value.
Mayor Mike Wilkinson said property tax elimination dominated discussion at the last countywide mayors meeting.
“We’re definitely going to feel this if it does pass,” he said.
Town Manager Gay Lancaster said information is available on the town’s website and staff will continue educating residents.
“There’s been no implementation language attached to these bills,” Lancaster said. “It’s important for every voter to understand: If you’re eliminating a major revenue source, what happens to services? What’s the alternative?”
Deputy Mayor Tom Shelly and Commissioner Tom Kelly supported spreading word about the proposal’s impacts.
“You have to shout it to your neighbors,” Kelly said. “Of all the proposals in this property tax bill, this is the worst.”
Other commission notes
The board voted 5-0 on second and final reading of an ordinance amending floodplain management regulations required by state law and unanimously approved another ordinance regarding mobile home rules in flood zones.
Lancaster expressed regret over postponing the recreation department’s Soundcheck Belleair concert scheduled for Jan. 17 at Dimmit Community Center. No rescheduled date has been announced.
The next Town Commission meeting is Feb. 17 at 5:30 p.m.