St. Johns County has paused more than $100 million in capital projects until voters decide a property tax amendment in November. The freeze includes a new fire station planned for the Beachwalk area near Nocatee.
Budget Director Cites Uncertain Revenue as Reason for Pause
Wade Schroeder, director of the county's Office of Management and Budget, announced the pause during a Board of County Commissioners budget workshop, according to an Action News Jax report published Wednesday.
"We have over $100 million in CIPs that we have identified that are currently in some level of pause until we know the outcome of what our future revenue sources are," Schroeder said.
Beachwalk Fire Station Among Stalled Projects
Among the stalled projects is Fire Station 23, which was planned for the Beachwalk/Twin Creeks corridor off County Road 210. A December 2025 News4Jax report placed the groundbreaking in 2027 with completion expected by the end of 2028. Staffing positions tied to the station are paused too.
Amendment 3 Would Expand Homestead Exemption
The ballot measure driving the uncertainty is Amendment 3. It would expand Florida's homestead exemption on non-school property taxes from $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028. Starting in 2029, the exemption would rise with inflation. The amendment would also cut the annual assessment cap on non-homesteaded property from 10% to 5%.
County Could Lose Up to $200 Million a Year by 2032
The projected hit is large. An analysis by the Florida Legislature's Office of Economic and Demographic Research estimates the county would lose $68.3 million in the first year and $136 million in the second, SJCitizen reported. That second-year loss would equal roughly 32% of the $426 million in property taxes in the county's proposed fiscal year 2027 budget. By the fifth year, the annual loss could approach $200 million.
Schroeder said he believes no county service would escape cuts if the amendment passes, including public safety.
Officials Weigh Alternative Revenue and Public Outreach
The county has identified about $4 million in savings from vacant positions and has held back additional hires, mainly in the library system. Officials are also exploring alternative revenue sources, including additional gas taxes or separate assessments. No service cuts or new revenue measures have been formally proposed. Commissioners authorized staff to launch a public campaign explaining the amendment's potential effects, possibly including town halls.
Beachwalk Resident Says Fire Station Delay Won't Sway His Vote
Beachwalk resident Wyland Szabo, who has lived in the community for three years, told Action News Jax the fire station pause would not change his vote. "I think I'm still all for eliminating property taxes," Szabo said. "I don't think it would sway me one way or the other."
Action News Jax reported that St. Johns County Fire Rescue referred questions to the county, which was working on a response as of Wednesday.
Budget Hearings Set for This Week and Sept. 15
As we reported Wednesday, the county's first public hearing on the proposed millage and fiscal year 2027 budget is scheduled for Thursday. A second and final hearing is set for Sept. 15.
