While the special session gets underway, city and county leaders on the First Coast are already sharing their concerns with the governor\u2019s property tax proposal.<\/p>\n
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2014 As Florida lawmakers begin a special session this week, local government leaders across the First Coast are raising concerns about Gov. Ron DeSantis\u2019 proposal to significantly expand the state\u2019s homestead exemption and reduce property taxes.<\/p>\n
Jacksonville City Council auditors estimate the city could lose hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue if the proposal is approved by the Legislature and later by voters in a November referendum. Officials in Clay County are also informing residents about potential impacts on public safety and public services.<\/p>\n
DeSantis\u2019 proposal would raise Florida\u2019s homestead exemption from its current level of $50,000 to $250,000 by 2028.<\/p>\n
According to Duval County Property Appraiser Joyce Morgan, property taxes are calculated by multiplying a home\u2019s taxable value by millage rates established by local governments. Homeowners can reduce their home’s assessed value through exemptions.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you own a home here in Duval County and it’s your permanent residence, that’s where you reside, that’s where you call home, not your second home, but your primary residence, then you have the option and you have the, I would say, maybe the privilege and the right to get a $25,000 homestead exemption. And then you also have the right to perhaps get a total of $50,000 for your homestead exemption,\u201d Morgan said.<\/p>\n
Under the current homestead exemption structure, a home with an assessed value of $350,000 that qualifies for the exemption pays roughly $5,300 in property taxes. Under the governor\u2019s proposal, those taxes would be reduced to approximately $1,700.<\/p>\n
The Florida Association of Counties has released estimates showing significant reductions in local government revenue if the proposal takes effect.<\/p>\n
According to those estimates:<\/p>\n
Nassau County would lose roughly $28 million.Clay County would lose approximately $43 million.St. Johns County would lose about $60 million.Duval County would experience the largest reduction, losing nearly $223 million in revenue next fiscal year. <\/p>\n
Incoming Jacksonville City Council President Nick Howland said city leaders will closely examine next year\u2019s budget in response to the proposal.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe’ve gotta make sure that we’re focused on spending on the core, and then anything else that we can cut, we can cut. It doesn’t mean that we’re spending less money on what matters, it probably means we’re focusing the money on spending where it does matter,\u201d Howland explained.<\/p>\n
Clay County officials are also warning residents about the proposal\u2019s potential consequences.<\/p>\n
In a notice distributed Monday, county administrators said Clay County already collects less revenue per person than most Florida counties, ranking 51st out of 67 counties in spending despite having the state\u2019s 25th-largest population.<\/p>\n
County officials said the proposal could have widespread impacts, including reductions in first responders, road maintenance and improvements, public health services, animal control and community programs.<\/p>\n
State Rep. Kim Kendall said she plans to closely evaluate any proposal that reaches the ballot.<\/p>\n
\u201cI’m gonna look at if there is something placed on the ballot on November, is it going to hurt our critical services, then, of course, I’m not gonna vote for it,\u201d Kendall said.<\/p>\n