School resource officers, after-school programs, school nurses and outdoor learning trips for Pinellas County's approximately 85,000 students could be at risk if Florida voters approve a property tax amendment in November, Superintendent Kevin Hendrick told the Belleair Bluffs City Commission on Monday, June 15.

Hendrick appeared alongside Pinellas County School Board Vice Chair Dawn Peters to explain why House Joint Resolution 1-F, the "Save Our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes" amendment, could affect schools even though the Legislature exempted school district property tax levies from the proposal.

The concern, Hendrick said, is the impact on partner agencies that provide services to schools. The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office funds school resource officers. The Juvenile Welfare Board operates after-school and summer programs. The Southwest Florida Water Management District provides outdoor learning experiences for fourth-grade students at a county nature preserve. County health agencies place a nurse in every school and operate health clinics at six campuses.

"Those things will likely go away," Hendrick said.

Those agencies rely on revenue generated from the non-school portion of property taxes, which would be reduced under the proposed amendment.

What the amendment would do

The Florida Legislature approved HJR 1-F in June 2026, placing the measure on the November ballot. The amendment requires at least 60% voter approval to pass and, if approved, would take effect Jan. 1, 2027.

The proposal would create a $150,000 "super" homestead exemption for non-school property taxes beginning in 2027. The exemption would increase to $250,000 in 2028 and be indexed to inflation in future years. It also would reduce the annual assessment increase cap for non-homestead property from 10% to 5%.

The Florida Association of Counties estimates the amendment would reduce county revenue by $3.6 billion statewide in 2027 and $6.4 billion in 2028. State economists project annual local government revenue losses could grow to nearly $12 billion by fiscal year 2031-32. The amendment does not include replacement funding for local governments.

A June 2026 Sachs Media poll of 850 Florida voters found 64% supported the amendment. Support measured 87% among Republicans, 62% among independents and 35% among Democrats.

Local officials raise concerns

Belleair Bluffs Mayor Chris Arbutine criticized the proposal during the June 15 meeting.

"We need to tell everyone this property tax proposal is terrible," Arbutine said. "Because (school boards) are next on the chopping block, because it's divide and conquer."

At the same meeting, the City Commission voted 5-0 to set its tentative 2026-27 millage rate at 5.3500 mills.

Finance Committee Chair Pete Fisher said the city has nearly $300,000 in reserves and recommended keeping the tax rate unchanged because of the "uncertainty coming up" surrounding HJR 1-F.

Hendrick said the school district is working with the Juvenile Welfare Board to identify ways to continue services if the amendment passes, but warned that "all of nonprofit (programs and services) will be touched somehow."

Florida does not levy a personal income tax, leaving local governments largely dependent on property and sales taxes to fund public services.

What comes next

Florida voters will decide the fate of HJR 1-F in the November 2026 general election. The amendment requires 60% voter approval to take effect Jan. 1, 2027.

The Belleair Bluffs City Commission has scheduled budget hearings for Sept. 3 and Sept. 14.