Retiree Walter Rasor is always looking for a way to save, and a property tax cut on his condo sounds appealing at first glance.<\/p>\n
“No one should vote for this unless they know specifically their financial picture,” Rasor said.<\/p>\n
If passed, Amendment 3 would reduce the taxable value of primary homes by $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028 for non-school taxes. However, cities and counties warn the amendment could trim millions of dollars from local budgets, potentially affecting municipal services.<\/p>\n
CBS News Miami asked a professional appraiser to run the numbers for Rasor.<\/p>\n
“My estimated savings for year one is $108,” Rasor said after reviewing the breakdown. “That’s about $10 a month.”<\/p>\n
Rasor lives in Sunrise. Sunrise’s website says the city could lose $26 million in revenue over two years if the amendment passes.<\/p>\n
For Rasor, $10 a month isn’t worth the trade-off.<\/p>\n
“I wonder if the city has to cut something. And what if that cut does go into emergency or medical or fire, or police,” Rasor said. “I can’t afford for $100 to think about that.”<\/p>\n
Casey Vockell ran the estimate using the same formula county property appraisers use. Vockell created the website myexemptioncheck.com, where property owners can get a rough idea of their potential savings.<\/p>\n
“It’s important that you know what you’re voting for,” Vockell said. “There’s a price for everything, and you need to know what the value of what you’re giving up really is.”<\/p>\n
Brickell condo owner Vanessa Mesa is also looking for ways to reduce housing costs. When Vockell ran the numbers for her, the number was significantly higher.<\/p>\n
“$1,351.78,” Mesa said. “That is an amount that I can use toward the improvement of my home.”<\/p>\n
Both said a specific number helped them decide.<\/p>\n
“This would probably make my decision to say yes to Amendment 3,” Mesa said.<\/p>\n
As for Rasor? “No,” he said when asked how he plans to vote.<\/p>\n
Vockell recommends that property owners have a professional break down all the numbers for the most accurate estimate. The online estimator calculator can be found here<\/a>.<\/p>\n