Tuesday’s election brought both good news and hard news for Florida’s communities. Voters said yes to every local land conservation measure we endorsed, and they also approved a property tax amendment that will squeeze local budgets for years to come. 

Local land conservation measures: 7 for 7! 

Floridians may disagree on a lot, but year after year we vote to protect the springs, rivers, forests and farms that define Florida. While voters want relief from the rising cost of living, they also chose to keep investing in the water, wildlife and open spaces that make their communities special. 

Here’s what voters approved in each county: 

• Brevard: renews the Save Our Indian River Lagoon (SOIRL) half-cent sales tax for 10 years, funding projects that cut pollution and restore the lagoon. 
• Charlotte: continues the 0.20 mill tax for Conservation Charlotte and authorizes up to $70 million in bonds. 
• Manatee: allows up to $75 million in bonds to protect water quality and natural lands, building on the program voters created in 2020. 
• Marion: authorizes up to $140 million in bonds for parks, trails, clean water, farms and forests. 
• St. Johns: permits up to $100 million in bonds for the county’s Land Acquisition and Management Program. 
• Santa Rosa: renews the county’s half-cent sales tax for five years, with natural areas, farmland and wildlife habitat among its uses. 
• Sarasota: continues the Environmentally Sensitive Lands and Parkland Program through 2049 and authorizes up to $250 million in bonds. 

Since 2020, we have joined allies in endorsing 19 county conservation measures, and voters have approved every single one, in counties across the political spectrum. Thank you to the Trust for Public Land, the local campaigns and volunteers in each county, and to every member who voted and shared our endorsements. 

Amendment 3: Passed 

We are disappointed that Florida voters approved Amendment 3, the constitutional measure increasing the state’s homestead property tax exemption. Starting in 2027, the homestead exemption will rise from $50,000 to $150,000, then to $250,000 in 2028. The state’s Revenue Estimating Conference projects local governments will collect about $5 billion less in the first year, growing to $12 billion by year five. How each county and city responds will be decided locally, through budget choices made over the next few years. Those choices will shape the services that support our quality of life: clean drinking water, flood protection, parks and trails, road repairs and other community benefits. 

We have real work ahead to help Floridians see the connection between how we plan our communities and what local governments spend to serve them, and what those choices mean for our children and grandchildren. The fate of Amendment 3 was settled in one campaign season, but building livable communities is a year-round challenge. For 40 years, 1000 Friends has worked to make sure Florida grows in ways that protect the places and services Floridians depend on and the quality of life they expect and deserve. That work is more important than ever. We hope you’ll join us as we take it on. 

Sincerely, 

Paul Owens 

President, 1000 Friends of Florida