{"id":79071,"date":"2026-09-10T15:40:01","date_gmt":"2026-09-10T19:40:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/?p=79071"},"modified":"2026-09-10T15:40:08","modified_gmt":"2026-09-10T19:40:08","slug":"lakeland-to-vote-on-property-tax-rate-amid-amendment-3-threat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/2026\/09\/10\/lakeland-to-vote-on-property-tax-rate-amid-amendment-3-threat\/","title":{"rendered":"Lakeland to Vote on Property Tax Rate Amid Amendment 3 Threat"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Lakeland City Commission is set to formally consider maintaining the city&#8217;s current property tax (millage) rate during special budget hearings on September 10 and September 24, 2026.<sup><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-dominant-color=\"968d87\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #968d87;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"599\" height=\"333\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, 599px\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/images-1-3.webp?fit=599%2C333&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-79072 not-transparent\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/images-1-3.webp 599w, https:\/\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/images-1-3-300x167.webp 300w\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Tax Rate Vote<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Current &amp; Proposed Millage Rate:<\/strong> Commissioners, including Mayor Sara Roberts McCarley, have signaled unanimous support for keeping the city&#8217;s millage rate at <strong>5.4323 mills<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>City Stance:<\/strong> Commission members have favored maintaining the current rate to ensure local services remain adequately funded while exercising fiscal frugality.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Threat of Florida Amendment 3<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The tax rate decision comes amid uncertainty surrounding <strong>Florida Amendment 3<\/strong>, a constitutional amendment on the November 3, 2026 general election ballot:<sup><\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Revenue Impact:<\/strong> If approved by Florida voters in November, Amendment 3 would increase the non-school homestead property tax exemption up to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Lakeland&#8217;s Exposure:<\/strong> City finance officials estimate Amendment 3 could cost Lakeland approximately <strong>$14.5 million annually<\/strong>\u2014representing roughly 8% of the General Fund and 23% of the city&#8217;s property tax revenue.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Budget Strategy:<\/strong> Because any tax revenue cuts under Amendment 3 wouldn&#8217;t phase in until 2027, city officials are maintaining current funding levels while preparing for potential future budget cuts or adjustments.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Voting &amp; Election Resources<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For details on voting logistics, deadlines, and official ballot language regarding Florida Amendment 3 or municipal questions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Check voter registration status, sample ballots, and polling locations at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?q=https:\/\/www.polkelections.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Polk County Supervisor of Elections Voter Portal<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Review statewide ballot initiative details and official summaries on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?q=https:\/\/dos.fl.gov\/elections\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Florida Division of Elections<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Lakeland City Commission is set to formally consider maintaining the city&#8217;s current property tax (millage) rate during special budget hearings on September 10 and September 24, 2026. 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