If Florida voters approve Amendment 3 this November, the proposed property tax overhaul would strip millions of dollars from local government budgets. That potential outcome was a consistent theme during two days of Orange County budgeting workshops held this week to prepare for the next fiscal year.
If approved, the proposal would cause Orange County to lose about $165 million in property tax revenues in 2027. In 2028, with the proposal’s higher homestead exemption in effect, the county says it would lose about $275 million.
“We are under tremendous pressure to provide all of the services that our local communities need, at a time when our state is advancing an amendment to the ballot for local governments to reduce their budgets,” Mayor Jerry Demings said.
Public safety concerns
Orange County describes its first budgeting pillar, public safety, as “the fundamental responsibility of government.” The county’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2026-27 includes more than $1.1 billion for public safety, to support the sheriff’s office, fire rescue and corrections departments…