Real estate broker, county commissioner worry about funding for fire stations, police and schools.
By Noah Vinsky
Original Air Date: June 4, 2025
Host: On Tuesday, the Florida legislature reconvened in Tallahassee. The reason the all-Republican government has to go into overtime: The governor and senate want to cut property taxes, the house wants to cut sales taxes, which are mutually exclusive proposals. Noah Vinsky has a close look at the effects of property tax cuts.
Gov. Ron DeSantis
Noah Vinsky: Gov. Ron DeSantis wants to end property taxes in Florida. That could have huge implications for local governments and an already shaky housing market.
Property taxes are a big source of revenue not only for the state. Florida brought in over $42 billion from property taxes in 2023.
It also plays a major role in the funding of local governments.
The Florida Policy Institute says property taxes make up 18% of county revenue. They say those taxes also make up between 50% and 60% of school district revenue.
The Policy Institute analysts said that the state sales tax rate would need to double from 6% to 12% to make up the difference.
Budge Huskey, the CEO of Sotheby’s International Realty, penned an op-ed in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune on May 18, saying the proposal provides both opportunity and risk for the Florida real estate market.
Huskey says the tax cuts could decrease costs in long-term home ownership and enhance Florida’s attractiveness to buyers, but the state should proceed with caution.
“The very qualities that make Florida appealing, such as strong schools, safe neighborhoods, and sound infrastructure, depend on stable, locally controlled funding. Without a viable, equitable replacement for property tax revenue, these community cornerstones could be at risk.”
Huskey did not respond to WSLR’s request for an interview.
Local officials are less ambiguous. Mark Smith is a Republican Sarasota County Commissioner. He called the end to property taxes “downright stupid” during WSLR’s Talk of the Town panel last week.
Jen Ahearn-Koch (left) and Mark Smith (center) on Talk of the Town with Carrie Seidman (right).
Mark Smith: We’ll just have to get rid of schools, fire departments, and sheriffs departments.
[Audience laughter]
NV: Sarasota City Commissioner Jennifer Ahearn-Koch said she’s heard pushback from residents on the idea.
Jennifer Ahearn-Koch: I’ve had citizens come to me and say, “I’m absolutely not in support of this, because I know it would mean the services that I require and request from my city government would no longer happen.”
NV: Ahearn-Koch said it would result in the city’s $49.5 million general fund being gutted. $48 million of that goes to the Sarasota Police Department.
JAK: It’s no exaggeration: We probably wouldn’t be able to have a police department.
NV: Taxes, and where to cut them, have been an issue in the Florida House this year. DeSantis has been at odds with House Speaker Daniel Perez for much of this legislative session.
Perez has been pushing to slash the state sales tax. On May 7, DeSantis said he’d veto such a cut, saying that would affect his push to end property taxes. In his proposal, DeSantis said Florida would give $1,000 rebates to homeowners to provide tax relief while still covering school property taxes.
Cutting property taxes could send Florida’s housing market spiraling.
There’s a severe shortage of available affordable housing in Florida. The National Low Income Housing Coalition says there are only 26 homes available for every 100 low-income renter households.
Noah Vinsky, WSLR News.
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