Amendment 3 passed with 61.98% statewide. Melbourne expects a $10.1 million hole in fiscal 2028 and $4.9 million more in 2029, with no protection for police and fire.
Updated Nov. 6: Amendment 3 passed. It won 61.98% of the statewide vote on Nov. 3, above the 60% it needed, the state’s Election Watch shows; Brevard County voted 61% yes. The results are unofficial until certified. The first step of the bigger exemption takes effect Jan. 1, 2027. The local results are in our election story. The story below was published before the vote.
Melbourne would lose about $15 million from its operating budget over two years if voters approve Amendment 3 on Nov. 3, the city said.
The city estimates a gap of about $10.1 million in fiscal 2028. It expects another $4.9 million in fiscal 2029. Both figures use the 2026 tax roll.
The estimates are on the city’s property tax amendment page. The city summarized them in a news release on Friday. The city does not say whether voters should back the amendment or reject it.
What Amendment 3 would do
The Legislature put the amendment on the ballot June 2, the city said. It needs at least 60% of the statewide vote to pass. If it does, it takes effect Jan. 1, 2027.
According to the city’s summary, the amendment would:
- raise the homestead exemption from $50,000 to $150,000 on Jan. 1, 2027
- raise it to $250,000 on Jan. 1, 2028
- leave school district taxes out of the bigger exemption
- cut the yearly cap on assessment increases for non-homestead property from 10% to 5%
- make people who move to Florida after Jan. 1, 2027, wait five years for the bigger exemption
The amendment has no guaranteed replacement money for local governments, the city said. The first budget it would hit is the one that starts Oct. 1, 2027.
What the city says is at risk
Property taxes are the largest single source of money for city operations, the city said. An earlier version of the bill protected police and fire budgets. The final version did not. The only protected levy is Brevard Public Schools, the city said.
The city lists these services as exposed to cuts:
- police and fire
- hurricane response, including road clearing, signal repair, sandbags and storm debris pickup
- road and sidewalk upkeep
- park maintenance
- recreation centers and programs for children, adults and seniors
- athletic fields, pools and tennis and pickleball courts
- community events, including the MelBOOM Fourth of July fireworks
The city also said it might have to end its two community redevelopment districts early.
If the amendment passes, the city said, it would look at three routes. It could raise other taxes, fees or charges. It could cut service levels. Or it could do both.
On the council agenda Tuesday
The City Council meets at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall. One item is the city’s 2027 list of priorities for the state Legislature.
The draft asks lawmakers to find money for cities to cover Amendment 3 shortfalls. If the amendment fails, the draft says the city would oppose bills that would end or sharply limit local property taxes. The Legislature’s 2027 session opens March 2, the item report said. More on Tuesday’s meeting is in our preview of the Circle K settlement vote.
What it means for you
If you own and live in your Melbourne home, a bigger exemption would lower the taxable value the city and Brevard County use for your bill. Your school taxes would not change under the amendment. Check what you pay now on our Melbourne property taxes guide.
If you rent, own a second home or own a business property, the bigger exemption does not apply to that property. The lower 5% cap on yearly assessment increases would.
The city’s own estimate says the trade-off for the city budget is about $15 million. The city’s page links the recordings of the June 9 council meeting and the September budget hearings where staff presented the figures.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Registration, early voting and mail ballot details are in our voting in Brevard County guide.
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