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City Manager warns proposed property tax reform could force roughly $6M in cuts by 2028
Summary
City Manager Frank Martz told the Commission that proposed state ballot language and companion legislation on property tax reform could require the city to reduce roughly $6 million in services by January 2028; staff will develop educational materials and present options to the Commission later in the month.
City Manager Frank Martz told the Altamonte Springs City Commission on June 2 that proposed property tax reform under consideration by the Florida Legislature could substantially reduce revenues used to fund city services.
Martz said the House and Senate have advanced ballot language and companion legislation that, if enacted, "could be required to reduce approximately $6 million in services by January 2028." He said the city provided commissioners a packet with data from the Seminole County Property Appraiser and planned to work with Seminole County to develop educational materials for residents. Martz said staff will return later in the month with recommendations to begin preparing for potential impacts, including hiring an appraiser to evaluate City-owned property sales and retaining a consultant to review user fees. He cautioned the options require careful study and that certain reserve and budget requirements are mandated by state law.
Commissioner O'Malley asked staff to provide concrete examples illustrating the effects of a $5.6 million reduction so residents can better understand potential impacts; Martz said staff intends to provide that information and clarified that the $5.6 million figure does not capture the full long-term impact contemplated by some proposals. Commissioners discussed whether to consider other taxes or fees and the procedural implications of companion legislation that could change rollback-rate calculations and voting thresholds.
