City estimates project the measure will cost Miami Gardens nearly $9.8 million in 2027 and about $14.2 million in 2028. Those losses translate into average savings of $694 per homeowner in 2027 and $1,387 in 2028, according to the city.

For residents like Lanette Jones, the math is personal. Her home was last assessed at $129,000, meaning she will be able to exempt the full taxable value from city taxes. "I'm gonna pay zero taxes to the city of Miami Gardens," Jones said. Yet she voted against the amendment, worried about what the cuts will mean for services. "It is a big savings for me, but it's a big loss for me because I'm gonna get less services from the city of Miami Gardens," she said.

Retired resident Albert Fulton sees the relief differently. "It means good. It means I have something extra to spend on something else," he said.

The city has already moved to absorb the shortfall. A review of the budget shows spending on special events was cut from $9 million to $558,000, with major events such as Jazz in the Gardens zeroed out. A hiring freeze is in place, though police positions are exempt; the city manager's office has not said whether those jobs will be restored.

At a September budget hearing, City Manager Cameron Benson said the city chose to plan ahead. "What we've tried to do is put together a budget in anticipating that something may happen," Benson said.

Councilman Wilson was traveling and unavailable for comment, and other city officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Jones warned that smaller municipalities and lower-income residents will bear the brunt of the cutbacks. "It's essentially crippling us in the lower tax brackets," she said.

According to the city manager's office, 1,400 homes in Miami Gardens already pay no property taxes, a figure that will grow as the new exemption takes effect.