DeSantis signs bills targeting taxes, local spending

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(The Center Square) – Gov. Ron DeSantis signed two bills into law this week aimed at increasing government transparency and limiting local property tax increases.

Senate Bill 4-F is the implementation bill for the proposed property tax relief amendment that goes before voters in November. The bill adjusts how counties and municipalities calculate the maximum property tax rate.

Previously, local governments could increase the rolled-back rate based on Florida’s per-capita personal income growth, but the bill does away with that provision.

Under the bill, millage rates up to 110% of the rolled-back rate will need a two-thirds vote. Anything above that will need either a unanimous vote, a three-fourths vote for larger bodies, or voter approval through referendum.

House Bill 1329, also known as the Local Government Financial Transparency and Accountability Act, will require local governments to publish budget summaries, revenues and expenditures, departmental spending, staffing information, reserve levels and fund balances along with additional financial reports and budget documents. They will also be required to provide quarterly reports on employee compensation.

“Local governments have continued to grow their budgets by resorting to scare tactics like threatening cuts to essential services,” said Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia. “This pivotal piece of legislation pulls the curtain back on local government’s wasteful spending so that Floridians are better equipped to hold their local officials accountable. Thank you, Governor DeSantis, for signing this bill and ensuring that local governments are good stewards of taxpayer dollars.”

When the bill was moving through the legislature, it was critiqued for creating a double standard for local governments versus the state government.

“We are not held to that same standard and we are also paid for by tax dollars,” said Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando. “At the end of the day it’s the same tax dollars that we’re talking about, and I do feel that we continuously demonize local governments and we don’t hold ourselves to that same standard.”

The bill further requires counties and municipalities to go through a budget reduction exercise before approving a final budget. The exercise calls for local officials to identify ways to reduce proposed spending by 10% without cutting essential services like law enforcement, emergency services, and other legally required essentials.

“Florida has reduced its budget for four straight years and has demonstrated fiscal responsibility and respect for taxpayers,” said DeSantis. “Now, we are stepping in to protect taxpayers from taxes at the local level.”