St. Johns County stands to lose more than $800 million in property tax revenue over five years if voters approve Amendment 3 on Nov. 3. The projection comes from Florida TaxWatch, as reported by WKMG-TV.

The Jacksonville Civic Council, a group of 90 business and civic leaders in Northeast Florida, added its voice to the opposition Monday, Sept. 21.

The council's position, first reported by the Jacksonville Daily Record, puts it alongside the Florida Sheriffs Association, the Florida State Fraternal Order of Police, the Florida Fire Chiefs' Association and Florida Professional Firefighters in opposing the measure.

Amendment 3 would raise Florida's homestead exemption from $50,000 to $150,000 in fiscal year 2028 and to $250,000 in fiscal year 2029, with the amount indexed to inflation afterward. It needs 60% voter approval to pass.

How St. Johns County is preparing for Amendment 3

The county is already bracing for the possibility. According to a St. Johns County government release, the Florida Office of Economic and Demographic Research estimates the county would lose $68.3 million in fiscal year 2028, $136.1 million in fiscal year 2029 and $191.6 million by fiscal year 2032.

County staff members have placed about $100 million in capital improvement projects on hold pending the election outcome. Another $8.6 million in positions and vacant-position funding has been flagged for reassessment. The county's recommended fiscal year 2027 budget sets aside $31.2 million in emergency response reserves and $30 million in general fund reserves as a financial cushion.

According to the county's Sept. 10 release, staff members have been preparing since May, including a service inventory covering 380 services across 18 departments and a review of 1,137 existing fees. County Administrator Joy Andrews said the preparations aim to position the county to respond to either election outcome.

Daniel Whitcraft, chair of the county's Capital Improvement Project Oversight Committee, said in the release that the paused projects have not been canceled.

"After the election, we will reassess the projects using the best available information and recommend a path forward," he said.

Statewide losses and a debate over reform

Statewide, Florida TaxWatch estimates the amendment would cut local property taxes by $45.8 billion over five years. St. Johns County ranks 19th among Florida's 67 counties for projected total losses.

Gov. Ron DeSantis, who supports the amendment, said at an Aug. 31 news conference in Jacksonville that local government spending has outpaced growth. The Civic Council countered that the state's Taxation and Budget Reform Commission, set to begin work next year, is the proper forum for tax reform.

County to host Amendment 3 town hall

St. Johns County will host a town hall on Amendment 3 at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29, at the County Auditorium, 500 San Sebastian View, St. Augustine.