Gov. Ron DeSantis has floated the idea of abolishing the property tax in Florida. The Florida Legislature is studying the idea’s implications before agreeing to place the idea on the ballot as a constitutional amendment about the time DeSantis is on his way out of office.
For the environmental community, this idea raises some serious questions.
The big one would be how this would affect the levy of voter-approved property taxes to buy and manage environmental lands or to purchase conservation easements on working lands.
These are typically 20-year commitments.
What about water management districts? Property tax revenue is an important part of their budgets.
They use the money to partner with local environmental lands programs to buy lands and among other things to examine development permits that affect wetlands.
Although it is atypical among Florida programs, Polk County uses a property tax assessment to fund its stormwater management program.
Same goes to the Winter Haven Boat Course District, commonly known as the Canal Commission.
All of the above involve modest taxing powers that are barely noticeable on most property tax bills compared to things like garbage collection, fire fees and general revenue that keep the lights on at local government offices.
It is quite possible that this idea will eventually go nowhere because it seemed to be based on hyperbole about how property taxes affect homeowners even though it is relatively minor compared to insurance and mortgage rates.
Nevertheless, who knows what the Florida Legislature might do and what voters might be persuaded to approve based on short-term benefits as opposed to the bigger picture.
Stay tuned.