Tina Polsky urges Coral Springs voters to reject Amendment 3 over concerns about city services
Coral Springs, Florida – State Sen. Tina Polsky used a farewell appearance before the Coral Springs City Commission to urge residents to vote against Amendment 3, warning that the proposed property tax changes could leave local governments with less money for public safety and other services.
Polsky, a Democrat who has represented Coral Springs in the Florida Senate for six years, told commissioners she is not seeking re-election. But much of her time at the microphone during last week’s meeting focused on the November ballot measure and what it could mean for the city’s finances.
“I can’t imagine any citizen wants to take the risk that there aren’t enough firefighters, that there aren’t enough police, that there aren’t enough EMS, that they don’t have the best equipment, the safest equipment,” Polsky told commissioners.
Amendment 3 would increase the homestead exemption for non-school property taxes from $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027. The exemption would rise again to $250,000 in 2028. Eligibility is limited to homeowners who live in their properties.
The proposal would offer qualifying homeowners a larger tax break, but Coral Springs projects a substantial reduction in revenue. The city estimates it would lose $14.5 million in property tax revenue in 2028 and $26.9 million in 2029.
Those losses would affect a major source of city funding. According to the current budget, property taxes supply about 48 cents of every dollar in Coral Springs’ general fund.
Polsky challenged the idea that public safety would be protected from the effects of reduced revenue.
“There’s a myth out there that public safety is covered. That’s not accurate,” she said.
Police, fire and emergency medical services can account for 50% to 60% of a city’s budget, according to Polsky. She argued that losing tens of millions of dollars would mean cuts across local government, including those departments.
Her concerns extended beyond emergency services. She identified mosquito control, Children’s Services Council programs and Meals on Wheels as other services that could be at risk. These were warnings about possible consequences of the amendment, rather than an announcement of specific cuts approved by Coral Springs.
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Polsky also criticized the process lawmakers used to place the proposal before voters. She said the measure passed during a two-day special legislative session, leaving no time to hear from experts or residents.
“We had no fiscal analysis whatsoever, and we had to decide what we were going to give to the voters,” she said.
Polsky said she voted against putting the measure on the ballot.
Another part of her argument centered on who would receive the tax break and who would not. She said about 35% of people claim a homestead exemption. Others, including renters, would receive no direct benefit from the proposed increase, she said.
That distinction matters in Coral Springs, where about four in 10 households rent, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Polsky warned that governments could turn to other sources of revenue to make up for property tax losses. She pointed to fuel taxes, sales taxes and license fees as possible ways residents could face higher costs, including people who do not qualify for the exemption.
“So you’re saving some money in one pocket and paying out more in the other,” she said.
Rather than pursuing the ballot proposal, Polsky said property tax changes should be considered through the state’s Taxation and Budget Reform Commission, which she said meets next year. She also expressed confidence in local officials’ handling of community needs.
“I trust the local government,” she said.
Voters will decide whether the amendment moves forward. It requires support from 60% of voters to pass. Early voting begins October 19, and Election Day is November 3.
