Florida voters will decide this November whether to make significant changes to how property taxes are calculated for homeowners and other property owners across the state. News 6 and the News Collaborative of Central Florida are bringing that conversation directly to Central Floridians.

On Tuesday, Kissimmee approved a final budget that includes a hiring freeze as leaders brace for a potential loss in revenue if Amendment 3 passes in November. Construction of a community center has also been canceled since the city cannot afford the positions to run it, and purchases of vehicles, equipment and other city needs have been put on hold for now.

The property tax rate will stay the same in Osceola County. Commissioners on Monday voted unanimously to maintain the general fund millage rate at 6.7 mills for the 16th consecutive year. The county said to hold the line on the millage rate, it cut planned expenditures by $12 million, instituted a hiring freeze, and postponed nearly $92 million in capital projects.

Two Seminole County cities are moving to finalize their upcoming budgets as uncertainty lingers around the potential impact of Amendment 3.

To free up $950,000, Altamonte Springs is cutting “Red Hot and Boom,” its long-running Fourth of July celebration, but the city’s beloved neighborhood library got a lifeline.

Public safety officials stood shoulder to shoulder, lining the walls of a conference room in Lake Mary on Tuesday as leaders gathered to speak out against Amendment 3. Those leaders are warning voters that Amendment 3 could reduce the property tax revenue local governments use to pay for police, fire and other emergency services.

Florida Realtors has launched a campaign urging voters to approve a proposed constitutional amendment that would change how property taxes are calculated for homeowners and other property owners.

On Thursday, Osceola County commissioners will meet for the First Truth in Millage, or TRIM, public hearing to consider proposed millage rates and a tentative budget for fiscal year ending September 30, 2027. The county is bracing for a potentially massive budget hit if voters approve Amendment 3 in November.

Voters have approved the one-mill tax each time it has appeared on the ballot since 2010. The levy generates an estimated $255 million annually, according to the school district, and funds about 2,000 teaching positions.

The City of Altamonte Springs may once again consider closing its library, two years after residents saw a property tax increase to keep it open. City Manager Frank Martz has recommended closing the library in its current form and location as part of the upcoming proposed budget. Martz said the cost to operate the 66-year-old library on Maitland Avenue is no longer sustainable — and he has an alternative in mind.

The City of Apopka is hitting pause on hiring for vacant city positions, at least for a few months, while officials review city needs and responsibilities. This also comes amid concerns about hiring and the possibility of raising property taxes. The city released a public notice about the hiring freeze on Wednesday.

The proposed property tax amendment that is supposed to go before voters in November is misleading, a Florida judge ruled Tuesday. The judge is ordering the Florida attorney general to rewrite the ballot measure.

On Monday, the Florida Sheriffs Association released a statement saying they were “significantly concerned” about Amendment 3, which if passed, would increase homestead exemptions from $50,000 to $250,000 over two years. They’re the latest in a wave of resistance against the measure, joining the Florida State Fraternal Order of Police, Florida Professional Firefighters, the Florida Fire Chiefs Association and several prominent county sheriffs in the state, who warn the tax cut could affect funding to first responder services in Florida.

Ahead of a vote that could increase property tax rates in Apopka, News 6 sent city leaders five questions, including what specific services, positions or projects the additional money would fund; what could be reduced under a lower rate; and why the city continues to face a budget gap as its population and tax base grow. Monday’s decision will establish the maximum rate the city may consider through the remainder of the budget process.

The City of Longwood is planning out its next budget while also planning for the impact of property tax reform.

Orlando’s City Council is holding a workshop to examine what property tax reform could mean for the city’s budget.

Budget discussions are underway across Central Florida as local governments prepare for a possible major shift in property tax revenue.

With the state pushing sweeping property tax reform, the city of Ocoee is crafting a contingency plan to protect its budget, and it involves revisiting how residents pay for fire services. Commissioners are voting tonight to adopt the amended and restated initial assessment resolution and set a public hearing for Aug. 18 before the final vote.

St. Cloud is holding a workshop to discuss “Property Tax Reform Impacts and City Fees" as a proposed amendment on tax reform heads to the November ballot. The workshop is at 2:30 p.m. at St. Cloud City Hall today.

Windermere leaders are urging caution as Florida voters consider a proposal this November that could cut or eliminate property taxes.

The Florida House and Senate passed a tweaked version of a major proposal to cut local property taxes on Tuesday. The bill increases the current $50,000 exemption on homestead property taxes to $150,000 for 2027, and to $250,000 in 2028. The exemption will not apply to school district taxes.

You buy a home in Florida that you saw online. The site says estimated property taxes are around $4,000. But when you get your first property tax bill, the cost may be thousands of dollars more. Why? Because the sites don't factor in Florida's Save Our Homes benefit, which doesn't stay when the home is sold, according to Orange County's property appraiser.

Lawmakers will stay in Tallahassee a little longer after Gov. Ron DeSantis called a special session to pass a property tax amendment for the November ballot. The session is expected to start on Monday.

Gimmick or gamechanger? The debate over suspending the state and federal gas tax, the real issues dividing the Florida legislature as they work on a budget and new details on Governor Desantis' elusive plan to eliminate property taxes.

The Florida House voted Thursday to ask voters to eliminate all homestead property taxes. The uncertainty has local governments such as Winter Park contemplating a bleak future if the cuts become reality. Property taxes assessed on homesteaded property make up about $19 million — roughly half of the city’s annual property tax revenue — and more than 20% of total annual revenue,

In an interview with News 6, Republican candidate for Florida governor, Rep. Byron Donalds, signaled his support for ICE's immigration crackdown, criticized ICE protesters, and pushed to repeal property taxes, and more.

Property taxes will be a big issue on the election ballot in 2026. Florida House lawmakers unveiled a slate of seven potential constitutional amendments, including changes to homestead exemptions, or eliminating some residential property taxes. But Gov. Ron DeSantis is dismissing the proposals.

Gov. Ron DeSantis late Wednesday dismissed a series of proposed constitutional amendments released last week by the Florida House to cut property taxes.

Gov. Ron DeSantis has made it clear — he wants sweeping changes to Florida’s property tax system. What does that mean for counties, cities, and the services they provide?

The Florida House on Thursday rolled out a series of proposed constitutional amendments to cut property taxes, while looking to shield funding for schools and law enforcement. One bill would get rid of most homesteaded residential property taxes.

With a Florida House panel finishing a two-day review of property-tax issues, city and county officials defended their financial management amid Gov. Ron DeSantis’ push to ask voters next year to slash taxes on homesteaded properties.

Residents in Sanford have a chance to speak up Monday night on several resolutions that will affect their taxes and services before commissioners vote, including a proposed fire assessment fee, as well as property taxes and next year's budget.

As city leaders in Sanford consider a fire assessment fee, families have started receiving letters informing them of what’s on the table. One of the first questions many want to know: how much will I have to pay?

Florida’s Department of Government Efficiency will be in Orlando Tuesday to get access to Orange County facilities for an extensive audit of the county’s records.

On Friday, the city released a letter it received from the Florida Department of Government Efficiency, dated July 30. Orlando's mayor said the city will comply and show that it is financially responsible.

Orange County is the latest government agency to get audited by Florida’s Department of Government Efficiency. It requests DOGE access to whatever county facilities, data systems and personnel are needed to investigate a trove of information going back to 2019 on everything from contracting to personnel salaries to DEI and environment-related programs to homeless services.

The amendment, if passed, would change the way some property taxes are calculated for Florida homeowners who have a homestead exemption. The amendment needs approval from 60% of Florida voters to pass. Here's what happens if it does.