Oviedo prepares outreach plan for upcoming property tax amendment vote

With the November elections less than four months away, the City of Oviedo continues to prepare for the possibility of losing millions of dollars in property tax revenue.

The Florida Legislature passed the proposed Save our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes constitutional amendment in June, and voters will be able to vote on it in the November election. If passed with at least 60% of the vote, it would substantially cut taxes for homeowners while slashing revenue for cities and counties throughout Florida. 

The state’s homestead tax exemption would increase from its current amount of just more than $50,000 — $25,000 of which is exempt from all property taxes, and $25,000 exempt from non-school taxes only — to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028. Starting in 2029, further increases would be tied to the rate of inflation. 

The amendment would also give the legislature the authority to create a schedule for property tax elimination for homesteaded properties in the future. If it passes in November, it will take effect Jan. 1, 2027. 

In the event the amendment does pass, Oviedo’s City Council began preparations for potential life without property taxes in June, and asked city staff to develop potential options for replacing the revenue and reducing expenditures.

Possible cost-saving options for the City of Oviedo (chart via City of Oviedo)

At its July 20 meeting, the City Council discussed its public information strategy for how to communicate information about the amendment in the lead-up to the vote. 

An infographic about property taxes put out by the City of Oviedo

The City Council tentatively decided that there will be three information sessions through September and October. 

• Early- to mid-September at the Oviedo Cultural Center
• Sept. 30 virtually
• Oct. 13 at the Riverside Senior Center

As details of the sessions are finalized, Oviedo Community News will update and alert its readers.

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