Florida Governor Pushing Property Tax Overhaul — Local Officials Say Cities Aren't Ready

Pensacola, FL (NewsRadio 92.3) -- Florida lawmakers head into a special session Monday on one of the most sweeping tax proposals in state history — and local officials are raising alarms about what it could mean for city services.

Governor Ron DeSantis is pushing a plan to gradually raise the homestead exemption from $50,000 to $150,000 starting in 2027, with the long-term goal of eliminating property taxes in Florida altogether. The proposal also includes a five-year residency requirement before new homeowners qualify for the full expanded exemption.

State Representative Alex Andrade says lawmakers were only handed the written language Wednesday afternoon -- just a week before they'll vote on it. Andrade says DeSantis vetoed a one-million-dollar study last year that would have examined the financial impact of eliminating property taxes, and now legislators are being asked to vote without that information. Andrade said he supports eliminating property taxes but has not said how he'll vote on this proposal.

At Thursday's meeting, Pensacola City Councilman Charles Bare says the proposal would devastate city budgets across Florida. Property tax revenue funds police, fire, roads, parks, and basic city operations. Bare says Florida has no income tax, making property tax one of the few reliable revenue sources available to local governments. If that revenue disappears, cities would be forced to raise other fees and taxes — and for non-homesteaded properties like rentals and commercial real estate, that means higher bills.

Even if the legislature approves the proposal, it would still need 60 percent voter approval as a constitutional amendment before taking effect. The special session runs June 1st through 3rd.