Miami is overtaxed and underserved — Florida’s proposed tax cut is our reset | Opinion

The Florida Legislature this month approved the proposed “Save our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes” constitutional amendment, sending it to voters on the November ballot. Although not as aggressive as Gov. Ron DeSantis’ original reform proposal, it is welcome news to Miami homestead property owners. We’ve been over-taxed and underserved for far too long.

If approved by at least 60% of voters, beginning in 2027, the homestead property tax exemption — available to people who live in the homes they own — will increase from the current $50,000 to $150,000 and then to $250,000 in 2028. Not enough but an excellent start.

For a high-cost city like Miami, the appeal is obvious. Although the tax cuts would only affect about 30% of the city’s property owners who are homesteaded, property taxes are one of the most powerful affordability killers in Miami. For seniors on fixed income and young people trying to build equity, the reduction of taxes would increase their disposable income and allow them to remain in the communities they help build. It should also lower the barrier to homeownership for young adults currently locked out by high prices and recurring tax burdens. Taxpayers would finally really own their homes.

Less than 7% of Miami’s overall budget comes from homestead property taxes. Last year Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia reported that Miami residents had been overtaxed $94 million. Prudent budgeting and disciplined expenditures can make up the gap in tax revenue.

Unfortunately, prudent and disciplined budgeting are not traditional hallmarks of Miami City Hall. A promised a “deep dive” into our budget hasn’t happened.

Over the past five years, Miami’s budget has roughly doubled while not keeping up with city services. In fact, 77% of Miami’s operating budget goes to salaries, pensions and benefits, according to reporting by the Coconut Grove Spotlight. This is unsustainable and portends catastrophic consequences for our city.

This proposed constitutional amendment is more than about tax relief. It’s about accountability and a check on local government excess. Miami’s elected officials would need to confront the question: What are government’s core functions? And taxpayers need to know that their tax dollars are being spent wisely and not on frivolous vanity projects, promotions, runaway compensation or insider contracts. Voters must demand that city officials deliver transparent common-sense budgets, funding only essential government services benefitting all residents.

Under the ballot measure, new Florida residents would need to maintain residence in the state for at least five years before being eligible for the tax benefits. Business owners would be protected by limiting how much annual property taxes can rise on commercial and rental properties. The current 10% cap on annual increases would be reduced to 5%, preventing local communities from increasing taxes to offset shortfalls.

The proposed amendment leaves intact funding for our public schools. Remaining tax revenue is directed to be used by local governments for core services such as police and fire. DeSantis also called for a trust fund to protect small rural communities, but that will happen in future legislation if the amendment passes.

This is not radical — it is reasonable.

The city of Miami would make a big mistake to include Mayor Eileen Higgins’ proposed $450 million public safety bond on the same ballot as the property-tax amendment. Voters would have to discern between conflicting items without really understanding the nuances of either.

A better approach would be to postpone any bond vote until 2027 to see what effects the amendment would have on overall budgeting. Why cut homesteaded property taxes only to incur a half-billion-dollar bond obligation? Make no mistake, a bond is also a tax.

This November, Miami voters will finally weigh in on whether they trust how their property taxes are collected, spent and controlled. If the measure passes, our elected officials will be directed to exercise sound judgment, focused leadership, prudent planning and common sense with remaining taxpayer funds — something they are not accustomed to doing, but that is long overdue and urgently needed.

Emilio Gonzalez is a former Miami city manager and a 2025 candidate for city mayor.