In a special meeting Tuesday, the Alachua County Commission discussed how Amendment 3, if passed, will impact its budget.
Amendment 3, which increases the state’s non-school homestead tax exemption from $50,000 to $150,000, will be on the ballot Nov. 3. If more than 60% of Florida voters approve the amendment, it will go into effect Jan. 1 and could vastly decrease local funding.
In recent months, local governments and agencies have expressed concern about how to navigate potential revenue losses. Alachua County estimates the amendment would reduce its revenue by nearly $50 million.
During the meeting, the commission heard from the Alachua County Tax Collector, Alachua County Fire Rescue and other county departments on how the amendment will impact their services and budgets.
Jon Costabile, the chief deputy tax collector, read from a written statement on behalf of John Power, the county’s tax collector. He read that if the amendment passes, the office will have to make staffing cuts, impacting wait times for driver’s license and motor vehicle services.
“There is a simple reality I want every voter to understand,” he said. “If Amendment 3 passes, we will be serving the same number of people, providing the same services but doing it with significantly fewer employees.”
During the meeting, Costabile said the office will consider using technology like artificial intelligence to take phone calls and answer questions.
Other departments echoed similar concerns about staffing cuts.
Ryan Lowery, president of the Fire Rescue Professionals of Alachua County, said while the organization supports property tax reform, it doesn’t support the amendment because it would cut funding for public safety.
Lowery said Alachua County Fire Rescue is already short-staffed, but budget cuts could put additional pressure on the department.
“Cutting positions … increases overtime pressure, makes leave harder to accommodate and contributes to burnout,” he said.
During the meeting, the commission suggested making up for lost money by increasing fees for county services like pet adoption and stormwater drainage.
If the amendment passes, the commission plans to update property tax revenue estimates, analyze funding alternatives and determine whether to cut services or consider alternative revenue sources.
The commission is expected to discuss plans in January if the amendment passes.
Commission Chair Ken Cornell spoke against the amendment, saying it will not cut taxes for all Florida voters, but create a shift in who pays. The amendment fails to consider the unique budget needs of each of Florida’s 67 counties, he added.
“Alachua County is not going to decide this,” he said. “This really is a ‘One size fits all.’”
Contact Olivia Lofaso at olofaso@alligator.org. Follow her on X @OLofaso77652.
Olivia Lofaso is a senior journalism student at UF and the Fall 2026 City and County Commission reporter, a role she previously held during the summer. She enjoys gushing about her cocker spaniels to anyone who will listen and playing the cello in her free time.
