OVIEDO, Fla. — Homeowners in the City of Oviedo largely remain undecided after an informational meeting on Tuesday to discuss the potential impacts of Amendment 3.
The proposed amendment would increase Florida’s homestead exemption for taxes other than school district levies.
The exemption would increase from $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027, and to $250,000 in 2028. It would then be adjusted annually for inflation beginning in 2029.
The proposal needs 60 percent of the vote in order to pass.
Tax experts say the increased homestead exemptions could save homeowners an average of $3,000 a year, but some Oviedo residents worry that the costs will be passed on in other ways.
“There are a lot of unanswered questions, and I think a lot of the politicians are kind of giving you circular answers,” said Oviedo resident Ed Ruping.
As a senior on a fixed income, Ruping told Channel 9 it’s hard not to support a property tax break, but as a retired firefighter, he worries about potential cuts to public safety.
According to Oviedo city leaders, if approved, Amendment Three would reduce the city’s property tax collections by about 37 percent beginning in 2028.
City leaders said 59 percent of the city’s property tax dollars fund police and fire services, and about 17 percent of those dollars go to the Recreation and Parks department.
Oviedo Deputy Mayor Natalie Teuchert said preserving public safety is the top priority, but the next-largest category, Recreation and Parks, is likely to see significant cuts if Amendment 3 is approved.
“It’s not fearmongering. It’s math. We have to make sure we run our city and our citizens, who have come to respect and love the level of service that we provide. And I would hate to see that be reduced,” said Teuchert.
The City of Oviedo said it would have three options if Amendment 3 passes: cut services, find new sources of revenue, including possible hurricane or fire fees, or do some of both.
City leaders said cuts alone aren’t realistic. According to Teuchert, to make up for a $9.2 million revenue loss in 2028, the city would have to eliminate about two-thirds of its non-public-safety staff.
The deputy city manager said the city simply couldn’t function with that kind of reduction.
“I think the best approach here is going to be a blended approach where we do some cuts and then we do increases elsewhere,” said Teuchert.
Orange GOP State Committeeman Nathan Cassidy said Florida families need savings.
He told Channel 9 that most families have had to tighten their budgets. And local governments should be no exception.
“We gotta rip the band-aid off and give these families some savings,” said Cassidy, “They’re [local governments] going to have to spend wisely, like we families have to spend wisely and decide what’s important.”
Voting on Amendment 3 is already underway. According to the Seminole County supervisor of Elections office, the first batch of Vote by Mail ballots was arriving at homes on Tuesday, and at least one Oviedo resident told Channel 9 he already filled out his ballot.
Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.