Amendment 3 is on the November ballot
The greater Tampa Bay region cannot keep pace with growth if it loses the resources needed to maintain the roads, utilities and public services residents rely on every day. Yet that is the risk voters will consider on Nov. 3. Amendment 3 would increase the homestead exemption for non-school property taxes and cut the cap on annual assessment increases for non-homestead properties from 10% to 5%. While the proposal may sound like straightforward tax relief, it would reduce critical property tax revenue for cities and counties without providing any new dedicated state funding to replace it.
Reliable garbage collection, manageable traffic, accessible parks and attainable housing do not happen by accident. They require communities to anticipate growth and invest the right resources at the right time. Florida planners help local leaders understand how growth will affect residents and what infrastructure and services will be needed to keep communities functioning. When I was a planning student, our mantra was “planners put the puzzle pieces together.” That work means turning data into informed decisions, so communities are prepared not only for today’s needs, but also for the demands of the next decade and beyond.
Tampa Bay’s continued growth places even greater pressure on systems that already need attention. Every new home and business depends on maintained roads, reliable water and sewer lines, and stormwater systems with enough capacity to protect neighborhoods. More people also increase the need for parks, public safety and other resources. Maintaining these systems and services helps keep Tampa Bay a place where people want to live and businesses can thrive.
Regardless of the vote’s outcome on Amendment 3, local governments will still be responsible for maintaining existing infrastructure while serving the needs of new residents and businesses. If the amendment passes, local leaders will face increasingly difficult choices about what gets repaired, what gets constructed, what has to wait and what is cut from the budget altogether.
Without the resources to plan 10 or 20 years ahead, Tampa Bay risks falling behind its growth. If parks are not maintained, unsafe conditions may arise. If transit isn’t funded, more vehicles may impact already crowded roadways. If the city postpones new roadways and roadway improvements, congestion will worsen and emergency response times can increase.
The appeal of tax relief is understandable. Families already manage the costs of their home, association fees, insurance, utilities and ongoing maintenance. But relief should make living here more affordable without harming our quality of life. Passing Amendment 3 would make it harder for local officials to fund and maintain the infrastructure and public services that make this a great place to live, work and play.
I urge Florida voters to vote no on Amendment 3. Tampa Bay needs reliable planning and resources to maintain strong communities today and prepare for future growth. The need for roads, infrastructure and essential services will not decline after Election Day. As costs continue to rise, we cannot make those needs even harder to meet.
Allara Mills-Gutcher, AICP, is president of the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association.