Property Tax Amendment 3: Understanding the Impacts & Unintended Consequences

Amendment 3 is being presented as a straightforward effort to reduce property taxes for Florida homeowners. But for Sanibel and the rest of the state, the question is considerably more complicated.

This program, presented as a collaboration between the Committee of the Islands and the League of Women Voters of Sanibel, will unpack the issues and address the varied impacts of this proposed Constitutional amendment.

Panelists will address critical questions voters must consider before casting their ballot in November:

• What exactly will the impacts of this amendment be if passed?

• How will cities make up for missing revenue? Who will pay for the services that residents expect if the revenue supporting those services is removed?

• Who should control decisions about local spending — legislators in Tallahassee or locally elected representatives?

• How will non-homesteaded property owners and renters be affected?

• What are the impacts on businesses and nonprofits?

Our expert panelists are uniquely qualified to address these questions at both the state and local levels. Holly Smith has been traveling the state for the past year as President of the Florida League of Cities meeting with communities to discuss the impacts of this measure. She also serves on the Sanibel City Council and can speak to the local impacts on our community. John Lai leads both the Sanibel-Captiva and Ft Myers Chambers of Commerce and can speak to the anticipated effects on businesses, nonprofits and the workforce they depend on.

Sanibel is a barrier island whose economy, infrastructure and quality of life depend on a carefully balanced system of local government, environmental protection, public safety, roads, stormwater management, emergency preparedness and resilience.

Join this discussion to better understand the intended and unintended consequences of this important issue.