As Florida voters prepare to decide the future of a sweeping property tax overhaul, Glades County Manager Paul Carlisle is warning that the proposal could have major consequences for local government services in the state’s rural community.
The constitutional amendment, approved by state lawmakers during a special session, would exempt the first $250,000 of a homesteaded property’s value from taxation if voters approve it in November.
Carlisle told WINK News that Glades County relies heavily on property tax revenue to fund its day-to-day operations and does not have the growth or tax base enjoyed by larger coastal communities.
“There’s no fluff in our budgets,” Carlisle said. “We don’t have the growth that the coast communities have.”
According to Carlisle, estimates from the Glades County Property Appraiser’s Office show the county could lose approximately $2.5 million annually if the exemption takes effect.
“For a small county like Glades County, that’s devastating,” Carlisle said.
The county manager told Wink News the challenge for county leaders would be determining how to maintain essential operations with substantially less revenue. Among the services that could face pressure are road paving projects, pothole repairs, animal control, code enforcement, planning and zoning functions and building services.
“When you take that amount of money away, I’m not 100% sure I’m going to be able to fully fund all of those operations,” Carlisle said.
Supporters of the proposal, including Gov. Ron DeSantis, argue that homeowners need relief from rising property tax burdens and insurance costs. Critics, however, warn that the tax cuts could leave counties and cities with less revenue to fund essential local services
If voters approve the amendment in November, Carlisle told the television station that county officials would begin evaluating potential budget reductions through workshops and discussions before making final decisions on the direction going forward.