St. Johns County Outlines Preparations for Proposed Property Tax Amendment 3

County began planning in May to protect essential services, evaluate capital projects, strengthen reserves, and inform residents

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla., Sept. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- St. Johns County has been preparing since May for the potential effects of proposed Property Tax Amendment 3, which will appear on the Nov. 3, 2026, General Election ballot.

The County has created a dedicated webpage at sjcfl.us/amendment-3 with an overview of the proposed amendment, estimated effects on County revenue, information about the current allocation of property-tax dollars, and links to official sources.

Led by the County Administrator's Office, staff began a countywide review of services, staffing, contracts, capital projects, and funding sources before the amendment was placed on the ballot. That work has informed the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Recommended Budget and provides the County with a factual basis for planning under either election outcome.

The County does not advocate for or against the amendment. Its responsibility is to provide factual information to residents and prepare for either result.

According to the Florida Office of Economic and Demographic Research, if the amendment passes, St. Johns County could experience estimated property-tax revenue reductions of:

• $68.3 million in FY 2028
• $136.1 million in FY 2029
• $191.6 million in FY 2032

"Preparing now allows us to make thoughtful decisions, protect essential services, avoid committing resources that may not be available in the future, and stay cognizant of any project that could add a recurring cost burden," County Administrator Joy Andrews said. "Our goal is to position St. Johns County to respond responsibly to whichever outcome our voters choose while continuing to serve our residents and protect the County's long-term financial stability."

County Preparation Measures

Since May, County staff have completed:

• A legislative analysis of the state's 2026 property-tax reform package for the Board of County Commissioners.
• A department-level analysis identifying which County services could continue to be funded with property-tax revenue under the amendment and which would need alternative funding.
• A service inventory covering 380 services across 18 departments.
• A review of 1,137 existing fees and several dozen proposed new fees.
• A financial resiliency strategy organized around 10 areas of review, including personnel, contracts, capital projects, replacement schedules, service costs, revenue diversification, alternative service delivery, agreements, reserves, and workforce and service-level impacts.

Based on that review, funding identified for reassessment after the November election includes:

• $4 million associated with current vacant positions.
• $2 million in FY 2027 positions not recommended for funding.
• $2.6 million in recommended but paused FY 2027 positions.
• Approximately $100 million in capital improvement projects placed on hold.

The County is also reviewing service levels and funding priorities, evaluating alternative revenue sources, including a municipal service benefit unit study, and providing residents with factual information about the amendment and its potential effects.

The FY 2027 Recommended Budget includes $31.2 million in emergency response reserves. These reserves strengthen the County's ability to respond to hurricanes, disasters, and other unforeseen emergencies while protecting the continuity of essential services.

The Recommended Budget also includes an additional $30 million in General Fund reserves designated for financial resiliency in response to Amendment 3. The additional reserves would enhance the County's ability to address service reductions, if necessary.

Capital Improvement Project Review

In June, County Administrator Joy Andrews worked with the Capital Improvement Project Oversight Committee to establish consistent criteria for classifying every capital project as continue, pause, or defer while the outcome of the November vote remains unknown.

Using those criteria, the Committee reviewed current and planned capital projects to determine which should proceed, be modified, or be temporarily placed on hold.

The criteria considered life-safety and legal requirements; grant and other external funding; reliance on property taxes; the project's stage of completion and existing investment; community need; and the financial consequences of pausing and restarting work.

"Placing these projects on hold does not mean they have been canceled," said Daniel Whitcraft, Chair of the CIP Oversight Committee. "This financially responsible approach gives us time to evaluate available funding, project priorities, and alternative revenue sources while also considering the recurring staffing, maintenance, and operating costs each completed project would create. After the election, we will reassess the projects using the best available information and recommend a path forward."

Design or limited site work may continue when appropriate so a project can pause at the least disruptive or least costly point. Projects may also be phased, redesigned, supported through alternative funding, or reconsidered alongside higher-priority needs.

Public Information and Budget Hearings

On Sept. 1, the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners held a FY 2027 Budget Workshop as part of its regular meeting. The presentation is available online.

In addition to the dedicated Proposed Property Tax Amendment 3 webpage at sjcfl.us/amendment-3, the County has additional opportunities for public information and participation:

• Sept. 15: The Board of County Commissioners will hold its final budget adoption hearing at 5:01 p.m. in the County Auditorium, 500 San Sebastian View, St. Augustine. The hearing will provide an opportunity for residents to review the proposed budget and participate in the public hearing process. The County's FY 2027 budget page provides additional information about the final budget hearing.
• Sept. 29: The County will host a Town Hall at 6:30 p.m. in the County Auditorium, 500 San Sebastian View, St. Augustine. The Town Hall will provide information about Amendment 3 and its potential effects on the County budget.
• FY 2027 Budget webpage: The County's annual budgeting process is available at sjcfl.us/2027-budget, reinforcing its commitment to transparency, accountability, and long-term strategic planning.

For more information about Proposed Property Tax Amendment 3, including the proposed changes, estimated County revenue impacts, current property-tax allocations, frequently asked questions, and links to official sources, visit sjcfl.us/amendment-3.

Stay informed of more St. Johns County news by subscribing to our e-newsletters, and learn how we're shaping our community's future by advancing the SJC Strategic Plan through the Office of Public Affairs.

Media Contact:
Tyler Jarnagin, Public Affairs Manager
Cell Phone: 904-814-9214
Email: [email protected]

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SOURCE St. Johns County