SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – Seminole County leaders are warning that Amendment 3, a property tax relief measure aimed at homeowners, could lead to cuts in local services — including animal services — that they say could jeopardize the county’s no-kill animal shelter status.
Seminole County resident Sabrena Oldakowski, who says she has seven cats and two shelter dogs, said she worries reduced funding could ripple into the community through fewer vaccinations and services.
“When you look at the end of the vaccinations… then you’ve got the spread of rabies, the overpopulation of feral cats,” Oldakowski said.
County leaders say the measure could reduce property tax revenue by about 20%, straining budgets for multiple programs, including emergency management and animal services.
[RELATED: Florida’s Amendment 3 could change property taxes. Here’s what voters need to know]
Alan Harris, Seminole County’s director of emergency management, said tightening budgets could mean fewer services and fewer staff — and he warned that could affect the shelter’s ability to maintain no-kill operations and provide community clinics.
“If we’re gonna tighten the budget, we aren’t going to be a no-kill shelter anymore,” Harris said, adding that staffing cuts would be a major part of why services and programs would be cut.
Harris said cuts of roughly $200,000 would eliminate money for basic needs like food and veterinary services, and he expects the overall revenue loss could force more cuts in staff.
Oldakowski said she supports saving money for homeowners but not if it comes at the expense of animal services and public safety.
“I’m going to vote no,” she said.
Supporters of the homestead exemption say homeowners will keep more of their own money. County leaders say the funding impact will ultimately depend on what voters decide at the polls on Nov. 3.
