Seminole County officials are warning that a property-tax amendment headed to Florida voters in November could gut public safety budgets, with the Sheriff's Office potentially losing up to 300 positions and $41 million in funding. County leaders say Fire Rescue could see a similar hit, affecting staffing.
According to WKMG, Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma said his department could face a 20% reduction in funding if Amendment 3 passes, translating to roughly $41 million in lost revenue. Lemma said services are expected to be compromised if the county loses 300 positions and $41 million from his budget. The cuts, per the same report, could also mean a hiring freeze.
Seminole County Fire Chief Matt Kinley said his department could face major cuts and slower response times, the outlet reported. Potential fire-department cuts could also delay capital projects, force the department to dip into reserve funds and leave fewer firefighters on staff.
How the Numbers Add Up Countywide
Amendment 3 could affect Seminole County property-tax revenue and public safety funding, per WKMG's reporting. The measure could result in a $119 million loss in county revenue overall — a gap officials say would ripple well beyond the Sheriff's Office and Fire Rescue.
County staff have also presented findings on broader effects tied to a 20% revenue reduction, according to mynews13.com. Those findings point to possible shorter library hours, cuts to community programs, slower pothole repairs and reductions in public transit. The county has not made substantial changes yet, mynews13.com reports, but officials said they are preparing for adjustments no matter how voters decide, and are researching alternative funding sources that could supplement some of the lost revenue.
What Amendment 3 Would Actually Change
Amendment 3 would raise the homestead exemption for a primary residence from about $50,000 to $150,000 starting in 2027, then to $250,000 in 2028, applying only to non-school property taxes. The measure would also reduce the annual assessment cap on nonhomestead properties from 10% to 5%, according to clickorlando.com. If approved by at least 60% of voters on November 3, the changes would take effect January 1, 2027.
Amendment 3 includes no new, dedicated state funding to replace what local governments would lose, according to the Florida Property Tax Resource Center. The Florida Property Tax Resource Center estimates the recurring annual loss at nearly $12 billion. Amendment 3 supporters say the measure would provide homeowners with additional tax savings.
Similar Warnings in Orange County and Winter Garden
Seminole County is not alone in sounding the alarm. Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings has said Amendment 3 could put the future of some county programs and services in jeopardy, according to cfpublic.org. Orange County estimates it would lose about $165 million in property-tax revenue in 2027 and about $275 million in 2028, with officials warning that reduced revenue could mean fewer LYNX routes or less-frequent service, and could diminish the county's ability to support victims of sex trafficking. Most of Orange County's property-tax revenue goes to public safety, and its proposed 2026-27 budget includes more than $1.1 billion for that category alone, with Sheriff John Mina requesting a budget increase of 11%, to $470 million.
The city of Winter Garden has run its own numbers, estimating a loss of $5.2 million in year one or $8.5 million in year two if Amendment 3 passes, according to amendment3.cwgdn.com. The estimates underscore the potential impact on the city's budget.
The stakes have drawn attention from statewide law enforcement and fire organizations. The Florida Fire Chiefs' Association and the Florida State Fraternal Order of Police are listed among groups opposed to or raising significant concerns about Amendment 3, according to the Florida Property Tax Resource Center. Seminole County officials said they will continue examining the amendment's potential effects ahead of the November election.
