Analysis reveals Coral Springs could lose millions in city funding if proposed state property tax changes are enacted
Coral Springs, Florida – A recent analysis by Broward County Property Appraiser Marty Kiar highlights the potential financial impact on Coral Springs if proposed property tax changes in Tallahassee are enacted. The study indicates that one proposal alone could cost the city up to $44.5 million, putting essential municipal services at risk and raising concerns among local officials and residents.
Kiar conducted the analysis to help inform Broward County and Coral Springs representatives as they prepare to vote on potential legislation. “It will definitely be the most consequential vote they’ll ever make because it really impacts every single person in Florida,” Kiar said in an interview with TAPinto Coral Springs. The projections were based on 2025 tax year numbers, providing a realistic snapshot of what could happen if the proposals were implemented this year.
The proposals currently moving through the legislative process would not affect school budgets and explicitly prohibit cuts to police funding. However, other city services could be significantly impacted, especially under the proposal that would eliminate non-school property taxes for all homesteaded properties.
According to Kiar’s analysis, if this measure had been in effect for the 2025 tax year, Broward County would have lost nearly $625 million in revenue. Coral Springs alone would have faced a $44.5 million shortfall, while the average city property owner would have saved $3,838. Although residents might see personal savings, the city could struggle to maintain its current level of services.
A second proposal under consideration would increase the homestead exemption—the portion of a property’s value exempt from taxation—from $50,000 to $200,000 for property owners who carry property insurance. Under this scenario, Broward County would lose nearly $330 million, with Coral Springs’ budget reduced by about $27 million. The average homeowner would save $2,306, but city leaders worry about the strain on essential services.
The third proposal targets homeowners 65 or older, eliminating non-school property taxes for this demographic. Kiar estimates that if enacted, the county would see a $162 million loss, and Coral Springs could experience nearly a $10 million shortfall. The average senior homeowner would save $2,859, but again, these savings could come at the cost of public amenities and municipal programs.
A fourth proposal, which seeks to increase the maximum value of the Save Our Homes cap that could be transferred to a new property, contains too many variables for Kiar to fully analyze. Nonetheless, the potential fiscal impact on the city could still be significant.
Coral Springs’ current fiscal year budget, which began October 1, is $390 million. Property taxes provide $191.5 million of this total, forming the city’s main operating or general fund. The remaining revenue comes from fees and assessments paid by residents, businesses, and users of city services. The general fund supports parks, recreational programs, code enforcement, the city’s aquatic center, public works, building inspections, emergency medical services, and other core operations.
City leaders warn that drastic reductions in property tax revenue could have immediate consequences for these services. “Property taxes are essential for funding local government and any plan to eliminate property taxes would have a devastating and immediate impact on our community and local businesses,” Mayor Scott Brooks said at a recent event. “It would undermine the essential services, roads, parks, and public facilities that contribute to our quality of life and support economic activity.”
As the proposals move through the state Capitol, Coral Springs officials are closely monitoring developments. The analysis underscores the delicate balance between taxpayer relief and the city’s ability to fund critical services that residents rely on daily. For now, city leaders are urging lawmakers to consider the real-world consequences of sweeping tax changes before making any final decisions that could reshape municipal operations and community life.
