Mayor Deegan to discuss effects of recently passed Florida property tax overhaul headed to November ballot

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – On Thursday, Mayor Donna Deegan is expected to discuss the local impact of a major property tax overhaul that state lawmakers passed during a special session and that is now headed to the ballot in November.

What the proposal would do

The measure is a proposed amendment to the Florida Constitution.

According to the House joint resolution approved by lawmakers, the amendment would:

• Increase the homestead exemption for non-school property taxes:
  • $150,000 beginning Jan. 1, 2027
  • $250,000 beginning Jan. 1, 2028
• Keep school district taxes out of the expanded exemption
• Reduce the cap on annual assessment increases for many non-homestead properties (including certain residential and other properties not covered by the homestead cap), from 10% to 5% beginning Jan. 1, 2027.
• Limit how counties and cities can use ad valorem tax revenue, restricting it to “core services,” including public safety, education and schools, infrastructure, natural resource projects, debt service, retirement obligations and basic operations of constitutional offices and local government administration.

To take effect, the proposed amendment would need 60% voter approval.