Auburndale officials warn Amendment 3 could cut $2.1 million from city revenue in year one

City Manager Jeffrey Brown opened a special workshop July 20 to "discuss potential budget impacts to the City's budget as it relates to Amendment 3," laying out an initial forecast for the city.

Brown told commissioners the City receives about $12 million in ad valorem property tax and that roughly 80% of that funding supports public safety. He said the Polk County Property Appraiser "expects a $2.1 million loss to the City on year one should Amendment 3 be passed," and presented Florida Department of Revenue projections and anticipated future exemption rates used in the analysis.

Commissioners pressed for additional detail about the analysis and implications. Commissioner Travis Avery asked for historical appraisal data and whether the amendment's required phase-out plan had been provided; Brown and City Attorney Frederick J. Murphy Jr. answered that current modeling assumes indexing to the consumer price index. The Commission asked staff to produce scenario tables showing how homestead changes, exemption growth, or a full phase-out would affect revenues over multiple years.

The workshop record shows commissioners prioritized next steps that include a deeper look at revenue scenarios rather than immediate policy changes. The Commission did not vote on any ordinance or millage change at the meeting and instead directed staff to return with more precise financial breakdowns and options for bridging potential shortfalls.