\n\t\t\t\t\t\tGreenacres city leaders are warning residents that a property tax proposal being discussed in Tallahassee could reduce a major source of local government funding and eventually affect city services.During a city meeting Monday night, the city manager said property taxes are one of the largest sources of revenue for local governments across Florida. If the proposal moves forward and is ultimately approved by voters, officials said cities like Greenacres could face difficult budget decisions.The proposal would increase the state homestead exemption from $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027, then to $250,000 in 2028. Supporters say the change could lower tax bills for some homeowners. Critics say it could also reduce funding for services residents rely on, including police, fire rescue, parks and road projects.Greenacres homeowner and labor union attorney Matt Mierzwa said lower property taxes may sound appealing, but he worries about the long-term impact on local services.\u201cTo me, it was a disaster from the start. It\u2019s still a disaster. It\u2019s not clear exactly how fire and police are going to be funded,\u201d Mierzwa said.According to city officials, Greenacres has a budget of about $45 million, and the proposal could affect between $18 million and $19 million in tax revenue. Public safety alone accounts for about $23 million of the city\u2019s budget.\u201cAs a council, we\u2019re going to have to make some tough decisions at some point if this is the case,\u201d one city official said during the meeting. \u201cWhat are the priorities? What are we looking at? How are we managing our dollars as best we can?\u201dIn the statement below, the city said it is not against tax relief but wants any changes to be balanced and warns the cost could still fall back onto homeowners:”The City of Greenacres is very concerned about the proposed $250,000 Homestead Exemption currently before the Florida Legislature. While we understand the intent to provide relief to homeowners, the financial implications are significant and cannot be overlooked, even for fiscally stable and responsible municipalities such as ours.”Based on our 2025 tax roll, this proposal would reduce our total taxable value by more than 28% and wipe out nearly 86% of our homestead taxable value. To maintain the services our residents count on and deserve, we would need to raise our millage rate from 6.3 to over 9 mills, which is a significant increase that would ultimately fall back on those same homeowners.”Property tax is currently the backbone of local government funding in Florida. It pays for public safety, infrastructure, and the day-to-day operations that keep our community running. Limiting how those dollars can be used only makes a difficult situation worse.”We are not opposed to tax relief for our residents. However, we believe any solution must be balanced and doesn’t come at the expense of the services they expect every day.”Our team will continue to monitor this legislation closely and advocate on behalf of our residents and the long-term health of our community.”Nothing has been finalized. If the proposal moves forward in Tallahassee, Florida voters would still have the final say on the November ballot. It will need at least 60% approval to pass.Stay up-to-date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\tGREENACRES, Fla. \u2014 \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
Greenacres city leaders are warning residents that a property tax proposal being discussed in Tallahassee could reduce a major source of local government funding and eventually affect city services.<\/p>\n
During a city meeting Monday night, the city manager said property taxes are one of the largest sources of revenue for local governments across Florida. If the proposal moves forward and is ultimately approved by voters, officials said cities like Greenacres could face difficult budget decisions.<\/p>\n
The proposal would increase the state homestead exemption from $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027, then to $250,000 in 2028. Supporters say the change could lower tax bills for some homeowners. Critics say it could also reduce funding for services residents rely on, including police, fire rescue, parks and road projects.<\/p>\n
Greenacres homeowner and labor union attorney Matt Mierzwa said lower property taxes may sound appealing, but he worries about the long-term impact on local services.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo me, it was a disaster from the start. It\u2019s still a disaster. It\u2019s not clear exactly how fire and police are going to be funded,\u201d Mierzwa said.<\/p>\n
According to city officials, Greenacres has a budget of about $45 million, and the proposal could affect between $18 million and $19 million in tax revenue. Public safety alone accounts for about $23 million of the city\u2019s budget.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a council, we\u2019re going to have to make some tough decisions at some point if this is the case,\u201d one city official said during the meeting. \u201cWhat are the priorities? What are we looking at? How are we managing our dollars as best we can?\u201d<\/p>\n
In the statement below, the city said it is not against tax relief but wants any changes to be balanced and warns the cost could still fall back onto homeowners:<\/p>\n
“The City of Greenacres is very concerned about the proposed $250,000 Homestead Exemption currently before the Florida Legislature. While we understand the intent to provide relief to homeowners, the financial implications are significant and cannot be overlooked, even for fiscally stable and responsible municipalities such as ours.<\/p>\n
“Based on our 2025 tax roll, this proposal would reduce our total taxable value by more than 28% and wipe out nearly 86% of our homestead taxable value. To maintain the services our residents count on and deserve, we would need to raise our millage rate from 6.3 to over 9 mills, which is a significant increase that would ultimately fall back on those same homeowners.<\/p>\n
“Property tax is currently the backbone of local government funding in Florida. It pays for public safety, infrastructure, and the day-to-day operations that keep our community running. Limiting how those dollars can be used only makes a difficult situation worse.<\/p>\n
“We are not opposed to tax relief for our residents. However, we believe any solution must be balanced and doesn’t come at the expense of the services they expect every day.<\/p>\n
“Our team will continue to monitor this legislation closely and advocate on behalf of our residents and the long-term health of our community.”<\/p>\n
Nothing has been finalized. If the proposal moves forward in Tallahassee, Florida voters would still have the final say on the November ballot. It will need at least 60% approval to pass.<\/p>\n
Stay up-to-date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25<\/a><\/p>\n