Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is calling legislators back to Tallahassee next Monday to consider his plan to relieve the tax burden on homestead properties.
Such a move would require support from 60% of the legislature and Florida voters.
During an appearance in Tampa on May 27, DeSantis unveiled plans to increase the homestead exemption from the current $50,000 to $250,000. He said it would relieve the property tax burden on 60% of primary homeowners in the state. In Monroe County, it would benefit the roughly 17% of homes that are homesteaded.
His plan would require the legislature to come up with a schedule to fully eliminate homestead property taxes. As for small businesses, his proposal would cut annual property tax assessments of up to 10% to 5%. The governor’s plan requires any person who establishes Florida residency after Jan. 1, 2027, to maintain Florida residency for up to five years prior to receiving the increased homestead exemption.
DeSantis’ proposal would force local municipalities to use any remaining property tax revenues, collected from businesses and secondary homes, for “core public needs,” including public safety, education, infrastructure and natural resources. Any municipalities needing financial assistance to continue supplying those services could apply for grants through the state.
Legislators will gather for a three-day special session beginning June 1 to review the governor’s proposal. The House and Senate have the ultimate say as to what appears on the ballot for property tax relief. A ballot measure needs a 60% vote of support from the House and Senate. If enough “yes” votes are secured, the measure would need support from 60% of Florida voters for it to become a part of the state constitution.
A proclamation calling for a special session notes the increasing property tax revenues local governments have received since 2019, $32 billion, to this fiscal year, nearly $60 billion.
“Florida voters deserve the right to decide at the ballot box in 2026 on whether they continue to pay rent to the government in perpetuity through taxes on their homesteaded property,” DeSantis’ proclamation reads.
DeSantis’ proposal will still allow property tax revenue to still flow to local governments from nonhomesteaded properties, like commercial real estate, secondary homes, investment properties and vacation rentals. They make up 83% of properties in the Keys.
The Florida House passed a property tax relief proposal before the regular session concluded in March. The proposal by Republican Rep. Monique Miller would gradually eliminate non-school property taxes on homesteaded properties over a 10-year period. It also prohibits local governments from reducing total funding for services provided by law enforcement, firefighters and other first responders below current levels.
The Senate never took up the House proposal and didn’t formulate an idea of their own before the session ended. Rather, the chamber chose to wait for DeSantis’ proposal.
State Rep. Jim Mooney told Keys Weekly shortly after the governor’s announcement that he’s in the process of reviewing DeSantis’ proposal. Mooney previously supported the House property tax relief proposal, stating he wanted to give voters the ultimate say.
The Weekly reached out to state Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez and is awaiting response.
Shortly after DeSantis’ announcement, the Florida Association of Counties said the decisions made in the upcoming special session will “negatively impact Florida for generations.” The association released an interactive map showing the funding counties won’t be receiving through the property tax levy, if the proposal secures all the necessary approvals.
“Property taxes are the primary funding source for sheriff’s deputies, fire and EMS, jails and emergency response. Under this amendment, public safety budgets could be frozen at 2026 funding levels or even reduced as Florida’s population and calls for service climb. There would be no mass layoffs, just fewer new deputies, slower replacement of squad cars and longer response times, just like Los Angeles,” the association said on Friday.
Monroe County Administrator Christine Hurley told Keys Weekly the county has major concerns over the proposal and the loss of revenue. Issues are also arising on how the proposal restricts what taxes can be spent on, including disallowing them to be spent on constitutional offices and core county departments.
Homesteaded property owners can find how much they could save, if the proposal garners the needed approvals, by visiting https://www.saveourhomesfl.com/
