Coral Springs steps up education campaign as residents prepare to vote on major property tax amendment in November
Coral Springs, Florida – Coral Springs is stepping up its public education efforts as residents prepare to vote on a proposed Florida constitutional amendment that could change how much homeowners pay in property taxes and how much money the city has available for local services.
The city has launched a series of short videos featuring employees whose work is supported by property tax revenue. Tyler, who works on the city budget, Jennifer from parks and recreation, and Talia, a community paramedic, are among the employees featured in the videos.
The series, called People Behind the Service, is designed to show residents how property tax money is connected to everyday city operations. Employees from public works, facilities, information technology and communications also appear. The city says its workers “put your property tax dollars to work.”
The campaign comes ahead of the Nov. 3 vote on the proposed amendment. Under the version approved by the Florida Legislature, the homestead exemption for non-school property taxes would increase from the current $50,000 to as much as $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028. The measure would also reduce the annual assessment increase limit for non-homestead residential and non-residential property from 10% to 5%.
If approved by voters, the amendment would take effect Jan. 1, 2027. Constitutional amendments in Florida require approval from at least 60% of voters.
The proposed changes have different financial effects for homeowners and local governments. A Broward County Property Appraiser analysis cited by the city estimates that Coral Springs homeowners with more than $150,000 in assessed value could save an average of about $1,370 in the first year and $2,750 in the second.
For Coral Springs, however, the change would mean less property tax revenue. The city projects a reduction of approximately $14.5 million in 2028 and $26.9 million in 2029. The city says property taxes currently provide about $92.4 million, or roughly 48 cents of every dollar in its general fund.
That money supports a wide range of services and programs. The city identifies parks, recreation and youth programs, senior services, arts and cultural activities, community events, community paramedicine, infrastructure and roadway improvements among the areas supported by property tax revenue.
“We are closely monitoring the property tax reform ballot amendment,” the city says on its information page, noting that a significant change in property tax revenue could affect how Coral Springs funds and provides services to residents.
Residents will have an opportunity to hear more about the issue during a community forum scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 8, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The event will take place in the City Commission chambers at City Hall, 9500 W. Sample Road. The forum is free, and the city is asking residents to RSVP.
City officials plan to explain how local services are funded, what programs could be affected by a reduction in property tax revenue, and what other funding options are available to local governments. Officials also plan to discuss how the City Commission could establish spending priorities if the amendment passes.
The Oct. 8 event will be the city’s second public forum on the amendment. The first was held Aug. 25. Residents who cannot attend in person can also provide input through an online city survey.
The People Behind the Service videos are available through the city’s website and YouTube channel. The city launched the series Aug. 12, with each video running for less than a minute.
The timing of the outreach gives residents several weeks to review the financial information and learn more about the potential effects on both homeowners and municipal services. Early voting in Florida is scheduled to begin Oct. 19.
Coral Springs is continuing to provide information about the proposal through its website, community meetings and online survey as residents prepare for the November ballot.
The supplied quote from the original material was not included because the context did not provide a direct quote from a named city official beyond the city’s written website language.
