Osceola County is bracing for a potentially massive budget hit if voters approve Amendment 3 in November.
That amendment, titled “Save Our Homes From Excessive Property Taxes,” would expand the homestead exemption to $150,000 starting in 2027, and to $250,000 beginning in 2028.
At least 60% of voters must approve the amendment on the November ballot for it to pass.
Osceola County held a workshop earlier this week to outline what the county budget could look like if the amendment passes.
[WATCH: Florida’s Amendment 3: Tax cut or ticking time bomb?]
On Thursday, county commissioners will meet for the First Truth in Millage, or TRIM, public hearing to consider proposed millage rates and a tentative budget for fiscal year ending September 30, 2027.
According to the county’s Office of Management and Budget, projected losses from Amendment 3 by 2029 could total an estimated $94.5 million — including roughly $79.3 million from the general fund, $8.6 million for EMS, $3.5 million for libraries, and just under $3 million for its SAVE Osceola program. The county is already on a hiring freeze, and projects that have not yet started have been paused.
Not everyone is concerned about the county’s bottom line. For some Osceola County residents, Amendment 3 cannot come soon enough.
“I agree with the tax reform,” T.R. Rodriguez said. “We don’t get enough money to pay for all of that stuff between mortgage and taxes. And everything is too much money.”
Rodriguez says the savings would make a real difference at home.
“Oh, we would be saving at least $300 a month in property tax,” Rodriguez said.
[WATCH: New language revealed for Florida’s property tax proposal]
Roberto Soto, another Osceola County resident, shares that sentiment and is not worried about the county absorbing the financial impact.
“I feel like the government has enough money. They just got to know where to put it. The money is there,” Soto said.
In July, District 2 Commissioner Viviana Janer told News 6 that she wants voters to do their research before heading to the polls.
“Really look at where the county spend their money, their county spends all of their resources providing those services that the community needs, not only the sheriff department, not only the constitutional officers that you have your roads, but you also have your stormwater ponds, you have your public transportation, you have your corrections facilities, you have your libraries, you have your parks,” she said.
“So, if all those things are valuable to you, then please consider. I know it’s hard. I’d like a tax break too, but there are right ways to do [it], and there are wrong ways to do it, and that’s just my personal opinion.”
Thursday’s hearing is the first of two required public hearings before the county can formally adopt millage rates and a final budget. A second public hearing must be held within 15 days and will be the venue for final adoption.
The county has outlined potential budget cuts it could make to offset losses from Amendment 3, though those decisions would only be finalized if the amendment passes in November.
The meeting is at 5:30 p.m. at Commission Chambers in Kissimmee.