DeSantis promotes Amendment 3 property tax proposal at Miami roundtable

Miami-Dade County, Florida – Governor Ron DeSantis urged support for Amendment 3 during a Miami roundtable, promoting a proposed constitutional change that would expand property tax exemptions for homesteaded properties and allow lawmakers to pursue additional reductions.

The proposal focuses on non-school property taxes. It would increase the homestead exemption in stages beginning in 2027 and establish a pathway for the Legislature to eliminate those taxes on homesteaded properties. Full elimination would be a possible future step, rather than an automatic result of the initial exemption increases.

Under the proposal described by the governor’s office, the exemption would cover up to the first $150,000 of a home’s value in 2027. That amount would rise to up to $250,000 in 2028, followed by future adjustments for inflation.

The administration estimates that an average Miami-Dade homeowner whose property has an assessed value of at least $250,000 could save approximately $2,500 a year upon full implementation. That figure is an estimate presented in support of the proposal, rather than a guaranteed savings amount for every homeowner.

DeSantis linked his support for the amendment to the growth in local property tax collections. According to the governor’s office, revenue across Florida’s 67 counties rose from approximately $32 billion in 2019 to more than $60 billion today, alongside rising property values and growth in the state.

“In just the past seven years, property tax revenues across Florida’s 67 counties have increased nearly 100 percent,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Local governments are taking in almost twice as much money—far more than inflation and population has increased. The State of Florida has reduced its budget FOUR YEARS in a row. Local governments can surely do the same. Amendment 3 creates a path to full elimination of property taxes for homesteaded Floridians. It also provides immediate and meaningful relief for Florida residents by expanding the homestead exemption from non-school property taxes. Vote YES on Amendment 3!”

The amendment includes a separate change affecting non-residential properties. It would lower the cap on annual assessment increases from 10% to 5%, limiting how quickly assessments could rise under that cap. This provision addresses assessment growth rather than setting a uniform tax reduction for businesses.

The proposal would also require remaining property tax revenues to support core public needs, including public safety, education, infrastructure and natural resources. Those spending requirements accompany the proposed exemption increases and the option for further legislative relief.

Miami-Dade County Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz supported the push for relief while emphasizing the need to preserve law enforcement resources. She pointed to technology spending reductions within her office as an example of cutting costs without reducing services.

“Florida homeowners deserve meaningful property tax relief, and Amendment 3 presents an important opportunity to deliver it,” said Miami-Dade County Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz. “As I have said publicly, tax relief and public safety are not competing priorities. Thank you to Governor DeSantis for his steadfast support of law enforcement and his leadership in pursuing meaningful relief for Florida taxpayers. At the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, we have already reduced annual technology costs by $12 million without reducing services through closer oversight and a careful review of spending. Every government agency has a responsibility to examine its expenses and ensure taxpayers receive the best possible value. As Sheriff, I will continue protecting the resources our deputies need to keep our community safe while holding our spending to that same standard.”

The governor’s office also cited findings from Florida’s Department of Government Efficiency efforts as part of its argument for reviewing local budgets. According to the administration, the state’s examination of Miami-Dade County identified nearly 67% growth in general fund spending since fiscal year 2021.

That review also identified nearly $140 million in potential budget reductions associated with spending the state characterized as excessive or wasteful. The announcement described these as opportunities for reductions, not savings that had already been achieved.

Those findings are separate from the $12 million in annual technology savings reported by Cordero-Stutz. Her statement concerned reductions already made within the sheriff’s office, while the broader state review identified possible changes in county spending.

DeSantis placed the property tax proposal alongside other tax measures enacted during his administration. The governor’s office said those measures have delivered nearly $10 billion in relief for Florida families and businesses.

Among them is the full repeal of the commercial rent tax, which the administration says saves small businesses approximately $2.7 billion annually. Other measures include sales tax holidays and exemptions covering essential purchases, school supplies, disaster preparedness items and outdoor recreation supplies.

The Miami roundtable centered on building support for the next proposed changes. For homesteaded properties, the outlined approach combines larger exemptions in 2027 and 2028 with inflation adjustments afterward. Any move toward full elimination of non-school property taxes would depend on further action through the legislative pathway established by the amendment.