Taxes and trash.

St. Lucie County voters will be making pocketbook decisions at the Nov. 3 General Election — whether they favor statewide property-tax reform; if they want a countywide half-percent sales tax continued another 10 years; and, for Port St. Lucie voters, whether they’re willing to pay more to add a second day of trash collection.

Officials from Port St. Lucie and St. Lucie County will be working over the next two months to make sure voters understand the issues, and the economic implications, before they mark their ballots.

They’ve scheduled a series of 11 “Community Conversations,” where representatives will explain each of the issues, why they’re on the ballot and what they would mean to voters if they’re passed or if they’re rejected. For Port St. Lucie residents, they’ll also explain the proposed city budget for fiscal 2027.

Port Tradition in Port St Lucie is now open. See inside

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Port Tradition is now open in Port St. Lucie in The Shoppes at the Heart Plaza with “Mexiterranean” fusion and imported wine and beer. (VALERIA BARTRA/TCPALM)

Issues on the ballot

Amendment 3, also known as statewide property-tax reform: The plan was placed on the ballot by the Legislature, and for most homeowners it would increase their homestead exemption annually beginning next year, and lower the amount of property tax they pay. For owners of non-homesteaded properties, it would reduce the current 10% cap on annual property-tax increases to 5% beginning next year.

In reducing the amount of property tax homeowners pay, it would reduce the revenue counties, cities and other governments receive from property taxes, officials have said.

Half-percent county sales tax: First passed in 2018, the tax, which is paid by St. Lucie County residents and visitors alike, provides a revenue stream for infrastructure projects such as road resurfacing, bridge replacement and repair, sidewalk construction and storm water and water-quality projects. It’s estimated the tax would generate $377.5 million over 10 years, money shared among the county, the cities of Port St. Lucie and Fort Pierce and St. Lucie Village.

A nonbinding straw poll for Port St. Lucie voters only, on doubling the city’s trash collections and paying for the increase. Twice-weekly collections were discontinued four years ago. Now residents have the chance to tell the city if they’re willing to return to two pickups a week or leave collections at weekly.

If residents say yes, collection costs likely would increase 28%, from the current $467.33 annually by at least $131, to $598.33. The change likely would not happen sooner than 2028, officials have said.

Port St. Lucie’s 2026-2027 city budget, which the City Council is to vote on Sept. 28, also will be explained at most of the meetings.

Each meeting will have a presentation of about 30 minutes on the four issues before individuals can talk with subject-matter experts, explained Port St. Lucie spokesperson Scott Samples. Representatives of the city Public Works, Police, Solid Waste and Management and Budget departments, as well as county officials, will be available to answer specific questions, he said.

The county organized similar meetings when the half-percent sales tax was first on the ballot in 2018, according to county spokesperson Erick Gill.

‘Community Conversations’ meetings

6 p.m. Sept. 1, The Saints Golf Course, 2601 SE Morningside Blvd.

6 p.m. Sept. 8, Paula A. Lewis Library, 2950 SW Rosser Blvd.

6 p.m. Sept. 10, Port St. Lucie City Hall, Council Chambers, 121 SW Port St. Lucie Blvd.

5:45 p.m. Sept. 15, Temple Beth El Israel (for county issues only), 551 SW Bethany Drive

6 p.m. Sept. 17, Oxbow Eco Center, 5400 NE St. James Drive

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6 p.m. Sept. 29, PSL Botanical Gardens, 2410 SE Westmoreland Blvd.

6 p.m. Oct. 1, Keiser University, 9400 SW Discovery Way

6 p.m. Oct. 6, Indian River State College, Pruitt Campus, 500 NW California Blvd.

6 p.m. Oct. 7, Port St. Lucie City Hall, Council Chambers, 121 SW Port St. Lucie Blvd.

6 p.m. Oct. 13, MIDFLORIDA Event Center, 9221 SE Event Center Place

Noon Oct. 27, Port St. Lucie City Hall, Council Chambers, 121 SW Port St. Lucie Blvd.

Arnie Rosenberg is TCPalm’s Watchdog Editor. You can reach him at arnie.rosenberg@tcpalm.com.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: ‘Community Conversations’ will help Florida voters learn the issues