Rural Florida faces potential service cuts if property taxes end

Discussions are underway in Florida about the potential elimination of homestead property taxes, a move that could significantly affect rural counties. A study by the Florida League of Cities highlights the potential impacts if Gov. Ron DeSantis' proposal advances.

Tim Taylor, a homeowner in Hendry County, expressed his support for eliminating property taxes.

"It would just make it a little easier to retire," said Taylor. "It's like, I'm paying rent now. I don't own a property. I'm just paying them to live out here."

However, some residents in rural areas are concerned about how public services might be affected.

"If we also stop paying property tax, what could happen?" said Rebecca Gill, a resident of Hendry County.

WINK News reporter Maddie Herron spoke with officials in Glades and Hendry counties to explore these concerns. A spokesperson from Hendry County pointed to data from the Florida Association of Counties on potential revenue losses.

In Glades County, County Manager Paul Carlisle emphasized the importance of property taxes for their community.

"Any cuts could jeopardize jobs and services for our residents," said Carlisle.

With a population of only 12,000, Carlisle explained that property taxes are crucial to their tax base. He added, "that equates to a very small number of homes, and the majority of them are elderly, and if they extend the exemptions that will take away from revenue that we have."

"When you talk about losing even $30,000 that's an employee."  said Carlisle. "You take away one of those that's going to be parks, that's going to be roads, that's going to be infrastructures,"

Data from the Florida Association of Counties indicates that Glades County could lose approximately $7 million in the first year if property taxes are eliminated.

"That's half of our budget. I mean, you when you're talking about our ad valorem budget, that's a big whack," said Carlisle.

He warned of the severe consequences of such financial losses.

"You take away the money that we're putting ad valorem taxes to we're spending over $180,000 above what the state gives us to get people to dialysis. We can't get them to Fort Myers to dialysis. That's going to be detrimental," said Carlisle.

Though the state is still in the early stages of this decision, Glades County Commissioner Jeffery Patterson underscored the need for community involvement.

"Once we get down to a plan, we're going to have to have a public budget workshop and go through and say, if this goes through, what are we going to do? And everyone needs to be there," said Patterson.

Florida Rep. Lauren Melo (R), who represents parts of Hendry County in the Florida House of Representatives provided WINK News with the following statement:

“The affordability crisis is a real and growing challenge for families across our nation. The Florida Legislature is committed to easing that burden for everyday Floridians. We recognize that eliminating homestead property taxes could provide meaningful relief and help offset rising costs of living. At the same time, property taxes are a critical source of revenue that fund essential state and local services. This is especially true for fiscally constrained and rural communities like Hendry County, which rely on these funds to protect families, maintain infrastructure and sustain the local economy.  Any proposal to eliminate property taxes must include a clear, sustainable plan to replace lost funding so that rural communities like Hendry County are not left at a disadvantage. Our goal is to identify a responsible solution that preserves funding for critical programs while delivering well-deserved relief to everyday Floridians.”

State lawmakers are currently working to narrow down four proposals regarding homestead property taxes to a single plan. The Florida legislative session convenes next month.

WINK News will continue to monitor developments and their potential impacts on local communities.