Several property tax proposals are currently moving through the Florida Legislature that, if passed, would significantly impact how cities like Winter Springs fund essential services. While these bills are being presented as homeowner tax relief, many local leaders and associations warn that they could create serious long-term financial challenges for municipalities across the state.

As your Commissioner, I believe it’s critical to understand what’s being proposed—and what it could mean for our community.

Overview of the Proposals

Out of eight proposed constitutional amendments relating to property taxes, four have advanced to their next committee. Here’s a summary of each:

HJR 211 – Save Our Homes Portability Expansion

This measure would allow homeowners to transfer the full value of their Save Our Homes tax benefit when moving to a new home, including when downsizing.

Key concern:

Cities heavily reliant on property tax revenue could face service cuts. One vice mayor noted their city could not maintain road maintenance, emergency services, or police protection if this passed.

HJR 209 – Second Homestead Exemption for Comprehensive Insurance

This would provide an additional $200,000 exemption for homeowners maintaining comprehensive insurance coverage.

Key concerns:

• No definition of “comprehensive” is included in the bill
• No protection for seniors unable to afford high insurance premiums
• Unclear outcomes for residents dropped by insurers mid-year

HJR 205 – Elimination of Non-School Property Taxes for Seniors 65+

This proposal removes non-school property taxes for anyone 65 or older.

Key concerns:

• No income or residency requirement means even new, wealthy residents would qualify
• Estimated $5.1 billion loss in the first year alone, putting senior services at risk

HJR 201 – Full Elimination of Non-School Homestead Property Taxes

This is the most sweeping bill, aiming to eliminate all non-school property taxes on homesteads statewide.

Key concerns:

• Projected $14 billion immediate revenue loss
• Cities would still be required to maintain police budgets, meaning drastic cuts to other services or increased fees

What Local Leaders Are Saying

Our city lobbyist, Andrew Kalel, attended the recent House State Affairs Committee and the earlier Select Committee on Property Taxes. In his report to city staff and commissioners, he noted the broad concern among local government advocates:

“These proposals simply rearrange the furniture in how things are actually funded.” — League of Cities

There was significant testimony warning that:

• These bills do not protect funding for fire departments, EMS, or other public safety needs
• Local governments could face higher interest rates for borrowing, due to financial instability
• Residents would likely see fee increases and service cuts to make up for lost tax revenue

In a particularly candid moment, the Committee Chair acknowledged that some municipalities may not survive under the new structure:

“We are asking for some of these municipalities to actually be run like a business… There may be some municipalities that don’t exist in five years.”

What This Means for Winter Springs

Like many Florida cities, Winter Springs depends on property tax revenue to maintain the quality of life our residents expect. This includes:

• Clean, safe drinking water
• Road maintenance and stormwater systems
• Public safety and law enforcement
• Fire and EMS services
• Parks, sports programs, and family-friendly community events

While responsible budgeting is always a priority, these proposed constitutional amendments would dramatically reduce local funding without offering alternative revenue sources—forcing cities to do more with far less.

Next Steps and How to Stay Informed

I encourage every resident to take the time to understand these proposals and their potential consequences. These bills are still under consideration, and your voice matters.

You can watch the recent committee meetings here:

• House State Affairs Committee – December 2, 2025
• Press Availability Following Committee

I will continue monitoring this legislation closely and will keep you informed as it develops. As always, I welcome your questions and feedback as we work together to protect the services and values that make Winter Springs a wonderful place to call home.

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With appreciation,

Victoria K. Bruce

Winter Springs City Commissioner, District 2