Rural Sheriffs Predict Service Cuts if Amendment 3 Passes

Public safety leaders from rural Florida counties warned on Thursday that voters should expect longer emergency response times and fewer local services if Amendment 3 is approved. The group, which includes sheriffs, firefighters, and police chiefs, presented their concerns to reporters in Tallahassee ahead of the Nov. 3 vote.

Gadsden County Sheriff Morris Young stated that the proposal would directly reduce the number of officers available for patrol. Young told reporters that crime rates have fallen due to consistent enforcement efforts, but the tax cut would reverse that trend by removing funding. He noted that the loss of revenue would effectively take deputies off the street in his jurisdiction.

The amendment would raise the homestead property tax exemption from $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027, with a further increase to $250,000 in 2028. The measure requires 60 percent of the vote to pass. Opponents argue that rural counties, which rely heavily on property tax revenue for local services, cannot absorb such a large reduction without cutting essential programs.

Sheriff Mike Harrison of Gulf County detailed specific financial pressures facing small communities. He noted that the city of Wewahitchka, home to just over 2,000 residents, has paid the salary for one of the county’s deputies for the past 20 years. Harrison said he does not see how the city will maintain that contribution after the tax cut. He also pointed out that the county may cut two to three positions it currently funds for sheriff’s office bailiffs, further straining his budget.

Harrison described the operational impact of reduced staffing, noting that residents do not want to learn that backup for a shots-fired call at 2 a.m. is 45 minutes away. Nick Gradia, a firefighter from Escambia County and a leader with the Florida Professional Firefighters, cited recent mutual aid efforts during Hurricane Isaias. He said that small independent fire districts in neighboring Santa Rosa County lacked the resources to handle the storm on their own. Gradia questioned what happens to those assistance networks if counties tighten budgets across the board.

Gov. Ron DeSantis, whose office drafted the proposal, and the Florida Realtors support the measure. DeSantis argued in a post on X that residents deserve to keep more of their money rather than sending it to local governments. However, several top Republican lawmakers have opposed the proposal. Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, said in a statement that Amendment 3 would eliminate up to 30 percent of resources for rural counties. He described the impact as a gutting of support for law enforcement, emergency response, and critical infrastructure.

Both Albritton and Sen. Kathleen Passidomo, a Republican from Naples, voted to place the measure on the ballot despite their current opposition. The vote takes place next Tuesday, Nov. 3.