Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced a proposal on Monday that could reshape local government finance in the state, suggesting the state take over certain funding responsibilities for rural and fiscally constrained counties to allow them to eliminate property taxes. The initiative, if enacted, marks a significant step in the Governor’s broader goal of providing substantial property tax relief to Florida homeowners.
Speaking at an economic development event in Crawfordville, Governor DeSantis estimated the cost to state taxpayers would be approximately $300 million annually, a figure he dismissed as “budget dust” within the context of the state’s nearly $50 billion general fund budget.
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“I’d much rather do that and be able to get the property tax relief done, than try to say, ‘Oh, well, we can’t do property tax relief because the rurals aren’t going to be able to raise revenue.’ We have revenue,” DeSantis stated, emphasizing the state’s financial capacity to support such a move.
The plan aims to provide permanent relief from rising property taxes, which have been a growing concern for many Floridians due to increasing annual assessments. Property taxes are currently levied at $1 per $1,000 of assessed value, known as a mill.
The counties identified as “fiscally distressed” by the Florida Secretary of State’s Office, and thus potentially beneficiaries of this plan, include: Baker, Bradford, Calhoun, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Flagler, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Glades, Gulf, Hamilton, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Nassau, Okeechobee, Putnam, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, Wakulla, Washington, and Walton counties.
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This proposal is part of DeSantis’s larger vision, which includes a one-time rebate for all homesteaded property owners in Florida, followed by permanent relief. The ultimate objective is to see homeowners “own free and clear,” without the perpetual burden of property tax payments, especially for long-time residents.
To achieve this, Governor DeSantis also proposed a constitutional amendment for the November 2026 ballot. The Florida House of Representatives has already convened a special committee to delve into the complexities of this issue.
“I think everybody who looks at this does understand we do want people to actually own their homes and at some point to say that you’re 80 years old and you paid off your mortgage 30 years ago, and yet, you still gotta just stroke checks,” DeSantis commented, highlighting the financial strain property taxes can place on elderly homeowners.
The announcement came as Governor DeSantis was in Wakulla County to celebrate the creation of 300 new jobs at a body armor plant. This expansion was facilitated by state incentives through the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund and the Rural Infrastructure Fund, programs designed to bolster economic development in rural communities, aligning with the Governor’s focus on supporting these areas.
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