Orange County heads warn tax cuts could reduce services

ORLANDO, Fla. — As some Florida homeowners demand relief on their property taxes, cities and counties across Florida are bracing for budget cuts if voters approve a property tax cut proposal this November.

Wednesday and Thursday, more than a dozen county government department heads stepped up to the podium at a budget workshop to warn commissioners they will have to reduce staff and roll back services to residents if property tax cuts go through.

Orange County Commissioners are balancing the 2026-27 budget while looking ahead to possible dramatic budget cuts for years to come.

Mayor Jerry Demings says if voters approve the amendment this year, Orange County could lose at least $160 million in tax revenue for fiscal 2027-28 and an additional $250 million the following year.

Commissioner Nicole Wilson says the panel is scrutinizing department budgets now to prepare.

“If you find fluff, you let me know, because we’re talking about fire rescue, fire apparatus, the personnel, law enforcement. We’re talking about what we do with our stormwater, our bridges,” Wilson said.

Orange County Fire Rescue Chief Anthony Rios warns tax cuts could hurt public safety.

“A reduction in revenue of $72 million by fiscal 2029 and compounded year after year would not be sustainable to this fire department,” Rios said.

Rios said that less funding could delay fire truck and equipment purchases, delay building new fire stations and could cause slower response times to fires and accidents.

Wilson says that is concerning.

“In something that could be catastrophic as far as an accident where there’s blood loss, that’s, you’re talking about life and death,” Wilson said.

Corrections Chief Louis Quinones Jr. told commissioners that tax cuts could lead to staff reductions, cuts to training that help protect corrections officers and delays to upgrade security equipment.

Commissioner Mayra Uribe says cuts across county government could risk public safety and lower our quality of life.

“When you’re talking about the possibility of parks rolling back, when you’re talking about sheriff not being able to answer as quickly or arrive as quickly, those are very scary, scary possibilities,” Uribe said.

The Florida Policy Institute says 36% of Florida’s property tax revenue comes from taxes levied on homesteaded properties. Uribe says that while those homeowners benefit, the cuts to services could affect the majority of Florida’s residents.

The county has to pass a balanced budget by Oct. 1.

Commissioners will hold public hearings on Sept. 10 and Sept. 24 so taxpayers can weigh in.