Property Taxes

As Florida lawmakers negotiate the state budget, tensions are escalating between Gov. Ron DeSantis and House Speaker Daniel Perez.

Local officials thought a dispute over who would pay to collect a voter-approved school tax had been settled when Sarasota County commissioners agreed in a surprise vote this week to resume covering the millions of dollars withheld by Tax Collector Mike Moran. Turns out, the fight isn’t over.

Just days after the Sarasota County School Board sued Tax Collector Mike Moran over millions of dollars withheld from a voter-approved school tax, county commissioners Tuesday voted to reverse course and resume covering the cost of collecting the tax.

The Sarasota County School Board and two county taxpayers have sued Tax Collector Mike Moran, alleging his office unlawfully diverted more than $2 million from a voter-approved school tax after changing a decades-old arrangement over who pays collection fees.

Miami Mayor Eileen Higgins said the city "has to be ready to go" if voters approve any constitutional amendment to reduce or erase most property taxes for homeowners. There is no ballot referendum yet, despite promises by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Florida lawmakers are headed back for a special session next week. On the agenda: redistricting, AI regulations and vaccine exemptions. Missing: property tax cuts — something Gov. Ron DeSantis and lawmakers have talked endlessly about.

It means Gov. Ron DeSantis' major priority will likely get pushed until late May — at the earliest.

The county commission also received the requested outside legal opinion on whether it could use the Community Investment Tax to help fund the stadium.

On "The Florida Roundup," the Marion County Republican talked about why he wants to eliminate all property taxes, the need for a revenue replacement plan and more.

This week on "The Florida Roundup," we spoke about the impact rising gas prices are having on Floridians, talked with Rep. Ryan Chamberlin about his push for a citizen-led campaign to put the elimination of property taxes up for a vote in 2028 and more.

The Hillsborough County Property Appraiser's office published a digital tool to help taxpayers "see the numbers," as lawmakers consider measures to reduce or eliminate property taxes in the state.

Florida House lawmakers have passed a sweeping property tax plan. The Senate isn’t on board — but has yet to share its own plan.