On Wednesday evening the City of Largo opened its Horizon West Bay development for a public forum titled “Community Town Hall: How Property Taxes Fund City Services.” The meeting brought together State Representative Berny Jacques (District 59), former state senator Jeff Brandes, Largo City Manager John Curp, Police Chief Mike Loux, Fire Chief Matt Carpenter and Mayor Woody Brown.
Amendment 3 and the homestead exemption
Amendment 3, slated for the November ballot, would increase Florida’s homestead exemption for non‑school property taxes from the current $51,411 to $150,000 beginning in 2027 and to $250,000 in 2028, with inflation adjustments thereafter. The measure would apply only to homeowners who are Florida residents as of Dec. 31, 2026; non‑residents would receive the existing exemption and would become eligible for the increase only after a five‑year waiting period.
Potential revenue impact on Largo
Curp explained that property taxes make up roughly half of the city’s general fund, which funds services such as wastewater, risk management, trash and recycling. Largo’s current millage rate is 5.5200, resulting in an average homeowner payment of $1,046 per year, or $87 per month. He warned that the proposed exemption could cut the city’s general‑fund revenue by about $15.7 million annually – a reduction of roughly 26 %.
That shortfall would affect Pinellas County as well, and could force the city to re‑examine budget priorities. Curp illustrated a scenario in which eliminating library and recreation funding would save $10.2 million, leaving a $5.5 million gap that would have to be covered elsewhere.
Public‑safety departments on the line
Both the police and fire departments rely heavily on personnel costs – about 81 % of the police budget and more than 90 % of the fire budget. Loux and Carpenter stressed that any budget reductions would likely target staffing, potentially lengthening response times. They emphasized that public safety would not be exempt from any cuts, though they argued that cutting these services would be a “bad idea” contrary to voter wishes.
Lawmakers’ perspectives
Jacques criticized the city for appearing to use taxpayer dollars to campaign against Amendment 3, calling the approach a “scare tactic.” He argued that families can and should prioritize spending, and that wasteful programs could be trimmed instead of essential services.
Brandes, a longtime opponent of the amendment, warned that the measure is less a tax cut than a tax shift. He noted that many municipalities are already adding non‑ad valorem fees for fire, wastewater and transportation, which lack exemptions and could stack with the new homestead exemption. He cautioned that city inflation costs – health insurance, equipment, construction – rise faster than consumer price indexes, squeezing budgets from both ends.
City’s long‑term outlook
Curp defended the recent $80 million Horizon West Bay mixed‑use development, saying the former City Hall site was beyond its useful life and that the new project will generate additional property‑tax revenue over time. He believes the city can adapt to the revenue changes while still delivering essential services.
Residents left the town hall with a clearer picture of how Amendment 3 could affect their taxes, city services and public‑safety funding. The city encouraged continued community input as the November vote approaches.
Original reporting: St. Pete Catalyst — read the source article.
