Bay County leaders oppose property tax relief proposal

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(The Center Square) – Bay County leaders said Tuesday that Amendment 3 will either cause critical cuts to essential services or a tax shift, but proponents say local governments would still have larger budgets than they did a few years ago even if property tax relief passes in November.

Republican Bay County Commissioner Doug Moore stood with Democratic Panama City Commissioner Janice Lucas, along with Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford and two former Panama City mayors to urge voters to vote against the property tax relief proposal.

They said with no clear path to what would replace the loss of revenue for local governments, either residents will see cuts to essential services or taxes will shift to renters, businesses and nonhomestead property owners, like landowners.

“Amendment 3 cuts existing funding without identifying or explaining how the resulting budget hole will be filled and what defines ‘core services,’ and a constitutional amendment is nearly impossible to undo once voters approve it,” said Moore. “If this change has merit, the Florida Legislature can pursue it by statute, where the funding gap can be addressed up front and the policy can be adjusted if it doesn’t work. With this change, Tallahassee determines core services for you and not our local community.”

Lucas echoed the sentiment, agreeing that there should be a plan in place to fill the gaps.

“Saying no to a funding plan is not enough — we must offer a responsible alternative to replace the revenue that would be lost and sustain essential public services. We cannot leave residents who can least afford it to bear the burden through higher taxes and fees,” said Lucas.

Local government leaders across the state have voiced fears about seeing their budgets shrink should Amendment 3 pass. But others like Rep. Ryan Chamberlin, R-Belleview, argue that counties will have “plenty” of funding.

“Our counties would like you to think that if Amendment 3 passes that they can’t survive on MORE than what they had just a few years ago. Don’t believe it!” Chamberlin wrote on X Tuesday afternoon. “This is our chance (maybe the first time in our lifetime), where we can actually vote to LOWER TAXES rather than feed the government. VOTE YES on Amendment 3 in November and then let’s come back and OVERHAUL the entire system!”

Despite outcry from local government and law enforcement officials, Amendment 3 enjoys bipartisan support among voters. A recent poll found support for the amendment exceeded the 60% needed for passage.