Florida officials fear service cuts
Emergency leaders warn that passing Amendment 3 will force rural counties to merge departments and delay responses.
By Stella Brooks ·
Florida public safety officials predict a 50% increase in response times if voters approve Amendment 3 on Tuesday. The measure would raise the homestead property tax exemption from $50,000 to $150,000 by 2027. It would rise again to $250,000 in 2028. The proposal requires 60% of the vote to pass.
Leaders from police, fire, and EMS departments across the state oppose the plan. They argue rural counties cannot absorb the loss of revenue. Officials say the cuts will force the consolidation of small independent agencies. They also expect a drop in essential services.
Nick Gradia is a firefighter in Escambia County. He also leads the Florida Professional Firefighters group. He cited the aftermath of Hurricane Isaias as proof of the strain on local resources. The Category 3 storm hit the Panhandle in early October. Escambia County assisted neighboring Santa Rosa County during the recovery.
Santa Rosa County relies on several small fire districts. Gradia said these districts lacked the resources to handle the storm response alone. He questioned what happens when larger teams can no longer assist due to budget constraints.
Gradia asked if the system will lose the ability to bring in outside help. He noted that local systems are already barely managing their own demand. He suggested that if that support disappears, local agencies may fail to keep up.
Gov. Ron DeSantis developed the proposal for the tax cut. His office, the Republican Party of Florida, and the Florida Realtors support the amendment. DeSantis has campaigned on the need to lower taxes for homeowners for over a year. He stated on X that residents need to keep more of their money.
The governor said people deserve to retain their funds rather than send them to local government. The amendment appears on the November 3 ballot. Voters will decide if the tax break becomes law.
