The Florida state legislature has passed a proposed constitutional amendment that will come before voters to reform Florida's property tax system. The Amendment will be on the November 2026 General Election ballot, where it will require 60% voter approval to take effect.

It is important that residents and businesses are educated about property taxes, how tax dollars are used, and what could happen if the amendment is adopted.

RESTRICTION: 
Florida state law prohibits local government, including counties, cities, and school districts from using public funds to advocate for or against ballot questions. Cities can only communicate information about how property taxes support local services.  Once a proposal becomes an actual Ballot Question, as it has, even factual information may not be sent to voters using public funds. Other communication methods must be used that don’t involve sending communications to voters, such as using the city’s website or social media platform posts. 

The proposed Amendment reduces levies for taxes by all taxing authorities on the tax bill, EXCEPT School District levies.  The tax levies are reduced only on homesteaded properties by the additional exemption.  The tax levy amount is reduced by providing the following additional Homestead Exemptions, except assessments for special benefits:

• Beginning Jan. 1, 2027, up to the assessed valuation of the property, raise the exemption from $50,000 to $150,000
• Beginning Jan. 1, 2028, up to the assessed valuation of the property, raise the exemption to $250,000
• In the future, no date certain: The Florida legislature shall, by general law, prescribe a uniform procedure for counties and municipalities, for their respective levies, to increase the amount of assessed valuation exempt from taxation up to all remaining assessed valuation.
• Reduce the annual assessment cap on non-homestead properties from 10% to 5%.
• Requires any person who establishes Florida residency after January 1, 2027, to maintain Florida residency for five years prior to receiving the increased homestead exemption.

Ad valorem taxes levied by counties and municipalities shall be used only to:
a. Provide for public safety, including law enforcement, fire service, and emergency medical service;
b.  Provide funding for education and public schools;
c.  Finance or refinance infrastructure, including expenditures on road and bridge construction and maintenance and stormwater control;
d.  Finance or refinance natural resource projects, including flood control measures;
e. Issue local bonds for uses consistent with this paragraph and to make debt service payments for existing obligations;
f.  Meet obligations for retirement benefits of local government employees; or
g. Fund the operations and administration of county officers and commissioners established under Article VIII and municipalities, and the expenditures approved by such county officers or county or municipal governing bodies, except those expenditures prohibited by general law.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Where do City of Weston property taxes go?

• Police Services - including:  equipment, support staff, crime prevention activities & events

• Fire Rescue and Emergency Services - including:  equipment, vehicles, support staff, Life Safety Education and Community Programs

• City Events (like concerts, July 4, Royal Egg Hunt)

• Capital Improvement projects
  
  
• Operation and Maintenance of Parks

• School Crossing Guards

• School Resource Officers

Have Weston's Expenses Increased? 

Yes, Weston’s expenses typically increase every year.  Weston services are provided via contractual agreements, and those agreements include annual adjustments to keep the contracts current with market rates.  Keeping the contracts at market rates ensures that contractors won’t shift their resources to other cities with better, more recently executed contracts.  The largest and most expensive service contracts are Police, Fire Rescue and Parks.  These contracts provide commonly known activities such as emergency response, law enforcement, athletic field maintenance, and park bathroom cleaning.

The contract-style of government allows Weston to maintain a lean, efficient operation.  It also eliminates the cost of a defined benefit pension plan or administrative overhead costs such as a dedicated payroll and human resources department.  However, under a contract structure, the most effective way to reduce costs is to reduce the contractually agreed upon service levels, which means fewer people doing fewer things.  Weston is constantly working with its partners to utilize technology and equipment to improve efficiency and labor output.  But it always comes down to people doing the work of savings lives or maintaining athletic fields.

There has been strong pressure on labor and wages in recent years, and those costs have been passed on to Weston the same as any other business operating in South Florida.  Unlike a business, cities cannot relocate their operations to a less expensive area.  Weston will have to continue to find ways to succeed under the challenges of operating in South Florida.

Florida's current property tax system: 

Property taxes fund essential services that make our communities livable, like police, fire rescue, and parks.  They are tailored to local needs and managed by leaders directly accountable to you.  Property taxes help cities serve residents well, and provide for high-level services and amenities which in turn maintain property values.

Dollars and decisions belong close to home. 

Florida's 400+ municipalities have differing and unique needs.  Allowing local leaders who are directly accountable to residents to address these needs helps maintain effective, efficient, and responsive community services. 

Weston is unique.  You moved here for a reason.  It is best that our City's decisions be made by those who live here. 

Reliable. Effective. LOCAL.

Property taxes help ensure residents receive the essential, uninterrupted services you need daily. Your local City property taxes (19%) and the other portions of your property tax bill are for services all within Broward County, such as the Hospital District, Water Management District, School District, County Services and Children's Services. 

In Weston: 57% of revenue comes from ad valorem taxes, with 88% of the tax base classified as residential, and 62% of that taxable value homesteaded.

What if the City Did Not Increase the Millage Rate or Increase Fees to Make Up for Reduced Revenue - What Services Could be Reduced or Eliminated?

The City would not be able to reduce or eliminate enough services to make up 100% of the revenue loss without noticeable changes in service levels.  Some examples of reduced or eliminated services could be:

• Elimination of community-wide special events such as the Hometown Concert Series and the July 4^th Celebration.

• Elimination of the Fire Rescue Whole Blood services which provides emergency life-saving measures immediately at the scene of a trauma incident.

• Elimination of the School Resource Officers (SRO’s) at the public schools.

• Elimination of crossing guards at school designated cross walks.

• Reduced park operating hours.

• Reduced traffic and planning services which work to proactively improve the City’s infrastructure.

• Reduced Code Enforcement which helps to ensure commercial properties do not fall into disrepair.

What Would Be the Impact on Residents if Weston Did Raise the Millage Rate to Make Up For The Lost Revenue?

If Weston raised the millage rate to recover 100% of the lost revenue, most homestead property owners would still see savings in their Weston taxes.  However, since non homestead property owners would not receive any exemption under the proposal, any increase to the millage rate would increase taxes on those properties.  In short, some would pay less while others would pay more.

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Please also see How Property Taxes Fund Services.