By Bryce Abshier
Belleview commissioners unanimously approved the highest property tax rate under consideration this week, with city officials looking to build reserves ahead of a proposed Florida constitutional amendment that could reduce property tax revenue in the coming years.
On Florida’s November ballot, Amendment 3 would expand the homestead exemption from non-school property taxes, reducing the property-tax revenue collected by cities like Belleview.
The City Commission approved a tentative rate of 5.5000 mills, rather than the lower 5.2500-mill option also presented in the city’s proposed 2026-27 budget. Mayor Christine Dobkowski said the higher rate gives Belleview an opportunity to “stockpile” reserves. This is in case the upcoming constitutional amendment passes and reduces a major source of revenue for the city.
For homeowners, a millage rate is the rate the city uses to calculate its portion of the annual property tax bill. Belleview’s newly approved 5.5000-mill rate is 15.56% above the city’s rolled-back rate of 4.7596 mills.
The higher rate is expected to generate approximately $2.81 million in property-tax revenue. The commission had already shown its preference during an Aug. 25 budget workshop. Dobkowski supported 5.5000, and Commissioners Ronald Livsey, Ray Dwyer and Michael Goldman agreed. Commissioner Bo Smith favored 5.2500. City officials said each additional quarter-mill would generate approximately $125,000.
Smith continued to lobby for the lower rate Tuesday night but ultimately joined the commission in approving 5.5000, which required a unanimous vote. The reasoning behind collecting more now is largely about what could happen later.
The concern centers on Amendment 3, which will appear on Florida’s November ballot. If approved by at least 60% of voters, the amendment would expand homestead exemption, beginning at $150,000 in 2027 and increasing to $250,000 in 2028. It also creates a process allowing counties and municipalities to increase the exemption further, potentially up to the full assessed value of a homesteaded property.
For cities like Belleview, that could mean collecting less property-tax revenue from homeowners. Under the 5.5000-mill proposal, Belleview’s overall budget totals approximately $45.45 million, with about $16.89 million in reserves spread across its various funds.
Belleview also generates revenue through fees and charges for services, including its water and sewer utility. The proposed 2026-27 Water and Sewer Fund anticipates $5.7 million in charges for services and includes a $2.58 million transfer out of the utility fund.
For Belleview homeowners, the takeaway is not to count those potential property-tax savings just yet. While voters could eventually reduce a source of city revenue, Belleview is preparing now by collecting more property-tax revenue and building its reserves before any changes take effect.
