Lawmakers have filed eight property tax reform proposals, despite Florida’s legislative session not officially commencing for another week. St. Petersburg officials are already preparing for any changes.
City Council Chair Lissette Hanewicz explained the process and potential $83 million fallout in a Dec. 10 letter to constituents. She and her colleagues approved Councilmember Mike Harting’s request to complete a related “budget stress test” the following day.
Harting said his undated committee discussion should identify subsequent budget impacts, “core competencies that should remain fiscally intact” and programs that “would need to be reduced or eliminated” following the loss of property tax revenue. Officials will “have to make some choices” if the proposed changes come to fruition…