Breaking Waves: Property Tax Relief on the Horizon for Our Coastal Communities?
Picture your morning coffee with Gulf breezes, free from the weight of a $4,000–$6,000 property tax bill that hits St. Pete Beach homesteaders hard—especially retirees and families grappling with soaring insurance costs. For a new waterfront home topping $1.2 million, that bill could skyrocket to $15,000–$20,000 a year, or more. Governor Ron DeSantis is making waves with a bold plan to eliminate property taxes on homesteads, calling them a "piggy bank" for local governments.
As a homeowner, this could save you thousands of dollars annually, but it raises significant questions about funding our beaches, schools, and fire stations. Let’s dive into what this means for our Pinellas coastal communities, the push for a 2026 referendum, and the impact on your wallet.
In this edition, we'll break down the buzz from Tallahassee, the path to a potential 2026 ballot measure, and what it could mean for your wallet and our tight-knit beach towns. Let's dive in!
The Issue: "No More Rent to the Government"
Property taxes aren't just a line item on your bill; they fund the backbone of our communities: schools, fire stations, beach maintenance, and road repairs. In Pinellas County alone, they generate over $831 million yearly for county operations, plus another $846 million for schools and $545 million for our 24 municipalities, including our own Madeira Beach, Treasure Island, St. Pete Beach, and Gulfport. That's the sand and surf we love, kept clean and safe.
But as home values soar (up 45% in property tax assessments over the last five years statewide), so do the bills. A typical homestead in Madeira Beach might owe $4,000–$6,000 annually, hitting hard for retirees and families on fixed incomes already stretched by rising insurance costs. Enter Governor DeSantis’ rallying cry: Treat your home like you truly own it, not as a “piggy bank” for local governments.
On September 23, Gov. DeSantis laid it out plainly:
“Local property taxes are crushing so many homeowners. We need to provide relief. And we need to embrace an important principle: truly owning your own home means your property shouldn’t be a piggy bank for local governments to extract revenue. Homestead properties of Florida residents should be exempt from property taxes.”
Echoing the sentiment, Lt. Governor Jay Collins declared his full support that same day: “I unequivocally stand with Gov. DeSantis on property tax relief. I’ve been told things were too hard many times. Let’s do the work and get this done.”
And on September 25, Florida's Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia piled on: “The taxpayers are tired of watching property taxes eat up their budgets while their local government uses taxpayer money to support a bad spending habit.”
This isn't idle talk. DeSantis has proposed immediate relief—a $1,000 rebate for over 5.1 million homesteads this December—while eyeing the big prize: full elimination via constitutional amendment. It's a "Florida First" pitch, sparing locals while shifting more burden to tourists and non-residents through higher sales or tourist taxes.
Prospects for a 2026 Referendum: Momentum Building, But Hurdles Ahead
The road to tax-free homesteads runs through Florida's Constitution, which means voters must approve any major overhaul with at least 60% support. DeSantis has pledged to put a ballot question on the November 2026 ballot, and recent moves suggest it's gaining momentum.
First Lady Casey DeSantis emphasized the process:
“Property tax reform requires amending the state constitution. That means the state legislature must pass a joint resolution in both the House and the Senate. Once that is passed, it will appear on the 2026 ballot, and voters will have the opportunity to approve it (requiring at least 60% approval for it to be part of the state constitution). Reach out to your state House member and Senator and see if they’re on board for property tax reform for homestead property owners.”
The Florida House kicked off its Select Committee on Property Taxes with back-to-back hearings on September 22–23, gathering input from homeowners, economists, and local officials. Co-chairs Reps. Vicki Lopez (R-Miami) and Toby Overdorf (R-Palm City) are eyeing options like boosting the homestead exemption (currently $50,000 off the first $500,000 of value) or even full repeal for primary homes. "Everything is on the table," Overdorf said, though a total wipeout like DeSantis wants isn't the starting point—yet.
House Speaker Daniel Perez has voiced hope for abolition or deep cuts, and DeSantis reports both chambers are "excited" about a 2026 proposal. The committee aims to draft amendments by November, with the full Legislature voting in January 2026. From there, it's off to the Florida Supreme Court for review before hitting ballots.
Challenges? Plenty. Critics, including the Florida League of Cities, warn of a $50 billion statewide revenue hole—equivalent to gutting local budgets. Rural counties and small towns like ours could face "fiscal scrambles," per local leaders. Plus, that 60% threshold is steep; past amendments like the 2018 school funding boost barely cleared it. Still, with DeSantis' DOGE audits scrutinizing local spending (Pinellas is already under the microscope), pressure is on to trim "waste" and make room for reform. If history's a guide—think the 1992 Save Our Homes cap—voters love homeowner relief.
The Impact for Our Beach Communities: Savings vs. Service Shifts
For you, the homeowner in Gulfport's quirky bungalows or Treasure Island's waterfront gems, the upside is crystal clear: zero property taxes on your homestead. Based on Pinellas' millage rates (around 18–20 mills countywide), that's $3,000–$5,000 back in your pocket yearly for a $400,000 home—enough for a family vacation or that long-overdue roof repair against hurricane season. Seniors on fixed incomes? Game-changer. It could stabilize our housing market, too, making beach life more attainable amid skyrocketing values.
But here's the ripple: Our towns rely heavily on property taxes for the essentials. Eliminating homestead levies could strip $20–$30 billion statewide from the pot, forcing Pinellas leaders to rethink budgets. Schools (50–60% property-funded) might lean harder on state dollars, potentially diluting local control. Beach renourishment, fire response, and Gulfport's arts grants? They could face cuts unless offset by:
State bailouts or redirected funds: DeSantis suggests covering "budget dust" like $300 million for high-impact counties, but skeptics call it a risky shift to Tallahassee dependency.
Tourist and sales tax hikes: Our visitor-heavy spots (think Treasure Island's spring breakers) could see higher bed taxes or a statewide sales rate jump from 6% to 7–8%, which hits everyone but spares non-residents.
Service tweaks: Consolidation—like shared fire services across St. Pete Beach and Madeira—or efficiency audits via DOGE could plug gaps without raising other fees.
Local voices are wary. "Safe isn't free. Clean isn't free," said one city manager. In Pinellas, where property taxes fund 17% of municipal budgets, small towns might scramble the most—potentially leading to mergers or scaled-back perks, such as free beach parking. On the flip side, proponents argue audits will expose fat, freeing up cash without pain.
Bottom line: Huge relief for homesteaders, but our coastal vibe depends on smart offsets. Watch for town hall updates—Gulfport's already buzzing.
How You Can Help Get Property Tax Reform on the Ballot
You can play a key role in pushing property tax reform to the 2026 ballot. Here’s how to get involved:
Contact Your State Legislators: Reach out to your Florida House Representative and Senator to urge them to support a joint resolution for property tax reform. Ask if they back Governor DeSantis’ plan to eliminate property taxes for homesteaders. Find your legislators at www.myfloridahouse.gov and www.flsenate.gov by entering your address.
Attend Local Budget Hearings: Pinellas County budget hearings start October 7. Show up to voice your support for property tax relief and share how it would impact your family. Check www.pinellascounty.org for schedules and locations.
Join Community Discussions: Attend town halls in Gulfport, Madeira Beach, or St. Pete Beach to connect with neighbors and amplify the call for reform. Follow local newsletters, such as this one, for updates on meetups.
Spread the Word: Share this issue with friends and family. The more voters rally behind the cause, the stronger the push for the Legislature to act. Use social media or community boards to spark conversations about the benefits and trade-offs.
Your voice can help shape the joint resolution needed for the 2026 ballot. Act now to keep the momentum going!
Closing the Tide: Your Voice Matters
This could redefine "owning" in paradise, but it's not set in stone. DeSantis' push has legs, with a 2026 vote looking likely if the committee delivers. For us in Madeira, Treasure Island, St. Pete Beach, and Gulfport, it's a chance to keep more of our hard-earned cash while ensuring our beaches stay pristine.
What do you think? Relief worth the risk? Please reply to this newsletter or join the chat at our next community meetup. Stay salty, stay informed.
Sunsets and savings,
The Tortuga, Citizen Beach
