Politics
Broward cities project multimillion-dollar losses under Florida property-tax amendment
Fort Lauderdale and Wilton Manors mayors say Amendment 3 could sharply reduce city revenue, putting services and public safety under pressure. Fort Lauderdale’s mayor also warned that higher taxes on apartment buildings could ultimately add to renters’ costs.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The mayors of Fort Lauderdale and Wilton Manors are warning that a proposed Florida constitutional amendment could leave their cities with millions of dollars less for local services if voters approve it.
Amendment 3 would reduce the taxable value of a primary residence for non-school property taxes by $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028. It would also give the Florida Legislature the authority to decide whether to eliminate property taxes on primary residences altogether. Supporters say the measure could make homeownership more affordable; local officials say it could erode a major source of municipal funding.
Wilton Manors Mayor Scott Newton estimates the city would lose nearly $2 million in 2027 and $3.3 million in 2028. He said potential reductions could affect parks, library funding and routine services, including sidewalk cleaning and how often crews collect street trash. Newton said he would not cut police or fire services.
Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis projects a larger shortfall: nearly $17 million in the first year and about $27 million in the second. More than 60% of the city’s budget goes to police and fire protection, he said, warning that staffing reductions could compromise emergency response.
“What concerns me is the person going to call 911, and they’re going to say it is an emergency, and we’re not going to have any staff members to respond to it,” Trantalis said.
One possible way to make up some of the lost revenue, Trantalis said, would be to raise taxes on non-homestead properties, including apartment buildings. Those costs could be passed on to tenants through higher rents, a concern for renters already facing an expensive housing market.
Fort Lauderdale renter Dale Engels said rent increases would be especially difficult for people with fewer financial resources and for residents in neighborhoods experiencing gentrification. “A lot of people can’t,” he said of absorbing higher costs.
Both mayors said decisions about any service reductions would be made with community input if the amendment passes. The estimates they provided describe projected impacts; the specific budget choices would be made by city officials.
The debate reflects a central question for voters: whether property-tax relief for homeowners would be worth the potential loss of revenue for local governments, and how any resulting shortfalls might affect services or shift costs to other property owners and renters.