DeSantis Calls Special Session on Property Tax Elimination; Escambia County Watching Closely

Tallahassee, FL (NewsRadio 92.3) -- Governor DeSantis is calling a special legislative session starting Monday to put homestead property tax elimination on the November ballot. The proposal would immediately raise the homestead exemption to two-hundred-fifty-thousand dollars, eliminating property taxes for sixty percent of Florida homeowners, with full elimination phased in from there.

The measure needs sixty percent approval in both legislative chambers before going to voters in November, where it would again need sixty percent to pass.

Escambia County Administrator Wes Moreno says the county has been planning for this for months, but warns it could mean tough choices ahead.

"It could be a reduction of services," Moreno said. "You keep your core services, you prioritize those at the top, and then you look down from there."

Moreno says the county won't know the full financial impact until the session wraps up and final ballot language is set. Northwest Florida Senator Don Gaetz says he'll vote in favor of the plan, calling it the most meaningful tax relief available to Florida families.

The special session runs June first through third.