Seminole County commissioners begin planning for Amendment 3 budget cuts

Seminole County commissioners started the process of adjusting the local budget to reflect the tax changes approved by voters in Amendment 3. The measure passed with strong support, forcing the county to reduce reliance on property tax revenue. The budgeting work for the next two fiscal years is already underway and will intensify in January 2027.

Commission Chair Andria Herr stated that the county is listening to citizens who requested lower taxes. She confirmed that the tax cuts will proceed but noted that no final decisions have been made on funding sources for essential services. Herr said the county must remain deliberate about where the economic impact lands and whether it affects ad valorem funds or other sources.

Emergency operations, law enforcement, and fire services rely heavily on property tax revenue. Herr noted that these departments previously received nearly 71% of the county’s property tax funding. She explained that moving funds between departments is difficult, comparing the budget structure to an ice cube tray where water cannot be easily shifted from one cube to another to create a larger one.

Commissioners requested more detailed information on costs and allocations during the meeting. Specific topics included a long-term water management project and additional animal services codes currently under review. The board is waiting to see what state grants or other funding sources might fill the gaps left by the tax reductions, though it remains unclear if additional help will arrive.

Herr emphasized that transparency is key as the county explains these changes to the public. She said it is hard to shuffle budgets around from one department to another. The county will continue its planning over the coming months to determine how to maintain services with a reduced property tax base.