<\/p>\n
Brickell condo owner Vanessa Mesa says she could use the savings from Amendment 3 to improve her home. \u2018This would probably make my decision to say yes to Amendment 3.\u2019<\/p>\n
CBS News Miami | Sept. 2026<\/p>\n
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
\u201cNo one should vote for this unless they know specifically their financial picture,\u201d 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
\u201cMy estimated savings for year one is $108,\u201d Rasor said after reviewing the breakdown. \u201cThat\u2019s about $10 a month.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rasor lives in Sunrise, whose 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\u2019t worth the trade-off.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wonder if the city has to cut something. And what if that cut does go into emergency or medical or fire or police,\u201d Rasor said. \u201cI can\u2019t afford for $100 to think about that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Casey Vockell ran the estimate using the same formula that county property appraisers use. Vockell created the website myexemptioncheck.com, where property owners can get a rough idea of their potential savings.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s important that you know what you\u2019re voting for,\u201d Vockell said. \u201cThere\u2019s a price for everything, and you need to know what the value of what you\u2019re giving up really is.\u201d<\/p>\n
Brickell condo owner Vanessa Mesa is also looking for ways to reduce housing costs. When Vockell ran the numbers for her, the savings were significantly higher.<\/p>\n
\u201c$1,351.78,\u201d Mesa said. \u201cThat is an amount that I can use toward the improvement of my home.\u201d<\/p>\n
She added: \u201cThis would probably make my decision to say yes to Amendment 3.\u201d<\/p>\n
As for Rasor? \u201cNo,\u201d 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