Rick Outzen April 1, 2026 1 Comment
The Escambia County Commission convened its Committee of the Whole on Wednesday morning to begin its public discussion of the fiscal year 2026-27 budget process, and the conversation revealed how precarious the county’s financial footing could become if property taxes on homesteads go away.
The $79 Million Question
Finance Director Stephan Hall opened with a stark warning. If the Florida Legislature follows through on its Homestead Property Tax Reduction Proposal, the county general fund could take a hit of roughly $79 million, with the library system absorbing another $4 million in losses.
- Background: The adopted FY 2026-27 general fund budget stands at $348.5 million.
Hall urged patience. “Staff is requesting that the board not make a decision on funding received from property taxes until the state’s 2026 special legislative session has ended and the financial impact to the county can be quantified.”
- Commissioner Mike Kohler pointed out the scale of the problem. “This would be like 12 to 14 rollbacks in one year. What plan are you putting together if the legislature does this whammy on us?”
Hall acknowledged contingency plans are being hashed out, but conceded the options aren’t good—a combination of millage rate increases for commercial and other properties that are homesteads, an elimination of vacancy positions and cuts in county services.
- “I can assure the board it will not be easy. It will not be pleasant,” Hall said.
Watching the Senate
County Attorney Alison Rogers offered a legislative temperature check, noting that the most recent signals from Tallahassee suggest the two chambers may not reach agreement on a full property tax cut. Instead, she said, the conversation has shifted toward restricting how local governments can use property tax revenues.
- “The only talk that I’m hearing is that there’s some expectation that there is not going to be a meeting of the minds on exactly how to cope with a reduction in the property taxes,” Rogers said.
Commissioner Lumon May said commissioners need to be physically present in Tallahassee to make their case.
- “I think it’s probably going to behoove us to make sure that when the session is resumed, that we’re joining FAC (Florida Association of Counties) and many of the commissioners from across the state and at least talking to our delegation,” May said. “If they would pass any one of the eight versions that they have at the House, it would devastate us.”
Constitutionals in the Crosshairs
Kohler went on record that any draconian cuts wouldn’t be limited to the BCC’s own operations. Constitutional officers—Sheriff, Clerk, Tax Collector, Property Appraiser—would need to share the pain.
- “The cuts won’t just be for the county. They’ll be for all the constitutionals, too. There’s no way that I’m going to cut the county and not cut the constitutionals if we get into that situation,” Kohler said.
Barry offered a more measured view. “I don’t think we’re going to get a plan back from the property appraiser of how to deal with anything right now, just because the legislation would be specifically targeting them as much as anything.”
Barry also noted the county has a multi-year funding agreement with Sheriff Chip Simmons, but said extraordinary circumstances would require an extraordinary conversation.
- “When things like this would happen, no one would’ve anticipated that at the onset of a funding agreement,” Barry said. “I think it would take a conversation and a partnership, even with him.”
A Leaner Operation—For Now
Hall presented data stretching back to FY 2007-08 showing the county has shed a net 26 administrative positions over nearly two decades while adding 259 positions in public safety—EMS, emergency management, 911, fire and corrections.
Barry praised the trend as evidence of disciplined management at every level of county government.
- “What you see in government, so often as revenue increases, you just see government grow,” Barry said. “I think the services that the county has provided over these 15 years—the services have grown tremendously, but the personnel have not.”
Grants
Board Chair Ashlee Hofberger pressed county staff on everything from grant administration to electric vehicles as she sought potential budget cuts…