Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia promoted Governor Ron DeSantis’ proposed property tax amendment HJR 1F this week in Miami-Dade County, as Tampa officials warned of risks to police and fire budgets ahead of a statewide vote. The measure would exempt the first $250,000 of a homestead’s value and ultimately aim to eliminate property taxes, requiring 60% voter approval in November.
The debate matters because property taxes fund public safety in many cities, and any reduction could force budget trade-offs. Tampa leaders said every dollar of the city’s roughly $380 million in property tax revenue is directed to police and fire, with total public safety spending exceeding $455 million, underscoring how a deeper exemption could affect core services.
Ingoglia argued local governments have enough growth and spending flexibility to shield police and firefighters if the amendment passes. Local officials countered that the plan, moved through a special session in two days, lacks guardrails that were contemplated during the regular session but were never enacted.
Last updated: June 5, 2026. The initiative’s ballot summary is titled “Save Our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes,” and its backers framed it as relief for homeowners, while opponents pointed to shortfalls that could emerge for essential services if revenues fall faster than costs.
What HJR 1F would change and the November threshold
The proposed amendment would expand the homestead exemption by exempting the first $250,000 of assessed value from local property taxation, according to the measure’s ballot language. Supporters also described a longer-term goal to phase out property taxes altogether, though near-term impacts would hit city and county budgets immediately if approved.
Because it is a constitutional measure, HJR 1F must meet a 60% statewide approval threshold in November. Ingoglia, appointed by DeSantis, has traveled to promote the package and said the “first priority” for municipalities after passage should be to fund “police, firefighters, and other first responders.” He dismissed warnings of police and fire cuts as “scare tactics” and urged budget reprioritization before service reductions.
Public safety funding concerns in Tampa and beyond
Tampa City Councilmember Luis Vierawho is running for the state House of Representatives, said the amendment could produce a “significant change in revenue for police and fire services.” Tampa Mayor Jane Castor has emphasized that all of the city’s approximately $380 million in property tax collections are directed to these functions, while total outlays for police and fire surpassed $455 million, an imbalance that would widen if revenues drop.
Firefighters and emergency services personnel have voiced opposition to the package, warning of pressure on staffing and response times if recurring revenue declines. Ingoglia countered that cities and counties have seen robust growth and alleged years of wasteful spending that could be trimmed. He said any leader who “goes first to public safety” for cuts is showing poor budgeting priorities and should instead target nonessential spending.
Legislative path, missing safeguards and stakeholder positions
The property tax package advanced rapidly during a special sessionwith only two days of debate, according to critics who called the process rushed and insufficiently vetted. During the regular 2026 session, the Florida House passed a separate tax reduction plan that included explicit protections for law enforcement fundingbut the Senate did not take it up and the measure died.
DeSantis’ initial framework included a local government trust fund intended to help municipalities pay for essential services while tax relief took hold. Lawmakers later removed the trust fund from the package that went to the ballot. Ingoglia did not revisit the deleted fund during his Miami-Dade appearance, instead reiterating his call for local governments to prioritize first responders within existing budgets.
Key stakeholder silence has stood out. The Florida Sheriffs Association said it has not taken a position, and the Florida Police Chiefs Association did not respond to requests for comment. Business groups including the Florida Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Florida have not stated positions, while the NFIB of Florida said it supports guardrails to prevent offsetting hikes on commercial property if the homestead exemption expands.
At the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Urban Search and Rescue Training Facility, Ingoglia used the backdrop of first responders to press his argument that cities can absorb the hit without reducing public safety. Tampa officials maintained that, given their budget structure, any significant homestead expansion without replacement revenue or state assistance would pressure police and fire services, leaving voters to weigh tax relief against potential impacts on everyday operations.
