Chamber Luncheon Highlights Growing Concerns Over Florida Property Tax Proposal

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Bernie Moyle and State Reps Dan Daley, Chip LaMarca, Christine Hunschofsky and State Sen. Tina Polsky. {CSCCRC}

A major topic at the Annual State Legislature Luncheon was how local governments will respond to the loss of income from the proposed reduction in property taxes.

Hosted by the Coral Springs Coconut Creek Regional Chamber of Commerce on June 4, the luncheon gave business and community leaders a chance to hear from legislators who had just returned from the special session in Tallahassee.

Cities will lose millions in property tax revenue if 60 percent of the state’s voters approve a constitutional amendment promoted by Governor Ron DeSantis on November 3. The amendment would exempt all homesteaded properties up to $150,000 of their assessed value on January 1, 2027, and $250,000 starting on January 1, 2028, according to State of Florida Information.

City leaders fear major cuts to municipal services, including possible layoffs or fees for park use and city recreation programs. Leaders in Coral Springs and Coconut Creek expect to lose millions in revenue if voters approve the amendment.

Panel members included Florida Senator Tina Polsky and State Representatives Chip LaMarca, Christine Hunschofsky, and Dan Daley. Bernie Moyle of the Country Club of Coral Springs served as moderator.

Polsky said she will not run for another term and called serving as senator the honor of her life. She said she was very disappointed that legislators approved the property tax amendment and warned that residents can expect cities to find other ways to charge them for services, such as higher user fees. She said more research should have been done to determine the best approach for tax relief.

Hunschofsky said she believed the amendment would be unfair to many Florida residents, especially those who live in rental homes and will likely see their rents increase. She was concerned that some smaller cities with fewer financial resources might have to merge with larger ones. She said the amendment would give the state more power over city and county governments.

Daley said he understood that many homeowners don’t like paying high property taxes, but that the proposal did not include enough planning. He believes it is harder for young families to buy a first home and for older people who no longer have children at home to downsize.

LaMarca said he would have liked to see a more careful approach to the property tax issue. He said city governments will have to make hard decisions about how services are delivered and paid for.

Another sore spot was redistricting. Polsky said DeSantis had arranged to carve up South Florida districts because President Donald Trump wants more Republicans in Congress. She said candidates will now have to seek votes from people in different areas.

Hunschofsky said she was disappointed about the lack of camaraderie among state legislators. She said people in the legislature should set aside their policy differences and get along better.

Coconut Creek Mayor Jeffrey Wasserman said the MainStreet project is moving ahead and that more townhomes, restaurants, and stores will soon be in the city.

Coral Springs Manager Catherine Givens said residents should follow developments in the legislature and participate in local government.

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David Volz

David Volz has worked as a writer in South Florida for 35 years. He has written for the Sun-Sentinel, Hollywood Gazette, School Transportation News, South Dade News Leaders, Observer among others. He has an MA in Communications from Florida Atlantic University and a BA in Communications from Valparaiso University. Volz teaches Communications at Miami Dade College and Palm Beach State College. He lives in Coral Springs and enjoys running and participating in 5Ks and half-marathons.