Property tax cuts gain momentum in Tallahassee. What it could mean for Miramar
Miramar could be staring down major budget shortfalls if Florida lawmakers move forward with proposals to phase out homestead property taxes over the next decade — cuts that could save homeowners about $2,000 but strip cities of a critical revenue source.
The dilemma is at the center of an intensifying property tax reform debate in Tallahassee, with cities across Broward County and Florida warning that the savings for residents could come at a steep cost to local services.
However, cities such as Miramar and others in West Broward, which are primarily residential — meaning a large portion of their revenue comes from property taxes — are expressing concern over the phasing out of property taxes.
A report by the Broward League of Cities and City Managers shows cities could lose revenue equal to nearly 200% of their parks and recreation budgets under a full property tax elimination scenario without replacement funding.
Local governments say eliminating homestead property taxes could reduce municipal revenue by 25% to 46%.
The Miramar News asked Broward County Property Appraiser Marty Kiar how much revenue Miramar would lose if property tax-cut legislation were enacted.
According to Kiar, Miramar would lose more than $30.5 million. The city has 27,740 homesteaded properties. The tax impact would represent the loss of 26.6% in property tax revenue. In 2025, the city levied $114.7 million in property taxes.
While some proposals prevent cities from cutting first-responder funding below recent levels, none replace lost revenue or protect other services.
Local officials warn that lost revenue could force cities to make difficult choices involving parks, libraries, recreation programs, road maintenance, drainage, infrastructure, senior services and youth programs. School tax is exempt.
Meanwhile, for homeowners with homestead exemptions, the end of property taxes would mean a median savings of $2,421 in the first year.
Miramar Mayor Wayne M. Messam addressed the City Commission last week, warning that the proposals’ appeal masks serious consequences for city services.
”On the surface, it sounds sexy. Everyone obviously wants to save money and get relief on property taxes,” Messam said. “But we are talking about eliminating what would be significant tax dollars to our communities — dollars that directly impact ... from public works to social services to all of the various amenities and services that we offer our community.”
Officials warn many cities could feel the impact within a few years, not a full decade, and may be forced to raise fees, increase sales taxes or special assessments, or cut services residents expect.
It all depends on what lawmakers do.
Here are several House Joint Resolutions advancing in Tallahassee, each targeting property taxes differently:
- HJR 203 — Phase-Out Plan: Gradually phases out non-school property taxes on homesteaded properties over 10 years by increasing the homestead exemption by $100,000 each year starting in 2028, fully eliminating those taxes by 2037.
- HJR 209 — Insurance-Linked Exemption: Provides an additional $100,000-$200,000 exemption on non-school taxes for homesteaded properties that carry comprehensive property insurance.
- HJR 213 — Assessment Growth Caps: Modifies “Save Our Homes” protections, limiting assessment increases to 3% over three years for homesteaded properties and 15% for non-homesteaded properties.
- HJR 201 — Total Non-School Elimination: Eliminates all non-school property taxes for homesteaded properties beginning Jan. 1, 2027.
- HJR 211 — Portability Cap Removal: Removes the $500,000 cap on transferring the “Save Our Homes” benefit when moving to a new property.
Why the push to get rid of property taxes?
Supporters — primarily Republican lawmakers — argue property taxes have risen sharply since 2020, saying local governments rely too heavily on homeowners and there is a need to curb wasteful spending.
Critics, including Democrats, counter that they support tightening belts but using 2020 data — when cities were nearly shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic — distorts spending trends. Home rule is also eaten away.
Among the lawmakers trying to sound the alarm on the severe impact ending property tax collection will have on cities is Broward State Rep. Robin Bartlemen (D-103), who represents the west Broward cities of Miramar and Pembroke Pines. She has put together a handout showing the monetary loss to Broward cities if any of the proposed measures are put to voters.
“I am concerned because voters will be asked to vote on this issue to get rid of paying property taxes, but there is no mention of — or plan for — how cities are supposed to replace this lost revenue,” Bartleman, who is in Tallahassee, told the Miramar News on Tuesday, Jan. 27.
Bartleman was at a public hearing in Tallahassee last week, where dozens of city officials, county managers and advocacy groups spoke against the proposals. She is also concerned about how property tax-funded agencies such as the South Florida Water Management agency, hospital districts and child services will make up the deficit.
If approved by the Legislature, any proposal would appear on the November ballot as constitutional amendments. It would need 60% of the vote to pass.
