A Florida judge has ordered the state to rewrite the language voters will see for a property tax amendment on the November ballot, ruling that the current wording is biased and misleading. The decision comes as the Glades County Sheriff’s Office and sheriffs across Florida warn that Amendment 3 could leave local governments with less money for law enforcement and other services.
If approved, Amendment 3 would increase the homestead property tax exemption to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028. The change would apply to property taxes collected by counties and cities, but not school taxes.
Leon County Circuit Judge David Frank ruled last week that the language written to describe Amendment 3 to voters was not neutral.
He criticized the proposed title, “Save Our Homes From Excessive Property Taxes,” calling it more like a political slogan than a fair description of the amendment.
“It is not fair or neutral,” Frank wrote.
The judge also found that the ballot summary could mislead voters about when the tax cut would take effect.
The language suggested the homestead exemption would increase to $250,000 in 2027. Instead, it would increase to $150,000 that year and then reach $250,000 in 2028.
Frank also objected to language suggesting the amendment would protect funding for “core services.” He said the proposal does not guarantee funding levels for police, fire rescue, roads or other local services.
The judge ordered Attorney General James Uthmeier to submit new ballot language to the state.
The ruling, however, does not remove Amendment 3 from the November ballot.
Glades sheriff warns of impact
The Glades County Sheriff’s Office is among the law enforcement agencies warning voters about the proposal. County officials have estimated the proposal could cost the county about $2.5 million a year in property tax revenue.
“Reducing an already incredibly tight budget would be devastating for our agency,” the Sheriff’s Office said, according to Gulf Coast News Now. “Please do your research and keep these details in mind when voting.”
The Florida Sheriffs Association has raised similar concerns. The group says cutting property tax revenue could affect funding for first responders and other local services.
Glades County officials have been raising the same concern for months.
County Manager Paul Carlisle warned commissioners that Glades County has little room in its budget to absorb a major loss in property tax revenue. “There’s no fluff in our budgets,” Carlisle said earlier this summer.
Poll shows voters divided
A University of North Florida poll released in July showed how much the cost could matter to voters.
The poll of 848 likely Florida voters initially found 61% support for the property tax proposal. But when voters were told about the billions of dollars local governments could lose, support fell to 45%, while 47% opposed the measure.
The judge made clear that his ruling was not about whether Amendment 3 is good or bad policy. His ruling focused on whether voters were being given a fair and accurate description of the proposal.
Amendment 3 needs at least 60% support statewide to pass in November.