Bartow Officials Warn Amendment 3 Could Cost the City $5 Million a Year
An estimated 20 to 25 people, in a room set up to accommodate 100, attended the Aug. 25 public meeting at the Bartow Civic Center to hear, learn about, and comment on the city’s stance on the proposed Amendment 3. It was the first of three public meetings.
While City Manager Mike Herr and city commissioners had previously made their stances on Amendment 3 known, it was incumbent upon Herr to clarify the purpose of the meeting.
“We are allowed to inform,” he said. “We are not allowed to advocate.”
That information began with the condition the city was in when Herr took over after his predecessor’s retirement. It would be a topic several commissioners would elaborate upon toward the end of the meeting, when they would be solicited for their input.
These have changed over the past several years under Herr’s tenure, and for the better, it was asserted.
But should Amendment 3 pass, these advances might set the city back to previous conditions, as 40 to 60 percent of the city’s financial resources stem from property tax revenues.
All this was expounded upon by Deputy City Manager Peter Lear. According to Lear, the city would lose approximately $2.08 million in the first year, effective January 2027, increasing to $3.43 million in 2028. Then, by the fifth year, after all proposed changes are fully implemented, the deficit to the city would be an estimated $5.08 million.
It could lead to increases in millage rates.
The topic was raised of where other sources may have to come from to mitigate the financial gap. These included the possibilities of:
Raising Impact Fees
Raising the millage rate, which is 6.108 mills and unchanged for the past several years.
(Reporter’s note: The Aug. 17 Bartow City Commission article incorrectly stated the millage rate as 11.9 mills. It has since been corrected.)
Reducing days and hours of operation at non-essential areas such as the library and/or parks.
Reduction in staff, including the police and fire departments. The latter could lead to lengthier response times.
Eliminating the police department and contracting with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Perhaps consolidating Bartow with another municipality, given its size, as well as the fact that it is the county seat. That designation means no revenue from county- or school-owned property. It also includes no revenue from churches.
After the meeting concluded, when asked, Lear said the city’s ISO rating, currently at 5, could see it climb. An ISO rating is a score that evaluates a fire department’s ability to protect its community, ranging from 1, the best, to 10, the worst. This rating influences property insurance costs for residents and businesses in the area.
Vox populi (The People’s Voice)
Only four people addressed city officials, with Fred Hafer going first, asking where all the property taxes were going. Earlier in the evening, Hafer had stated that 10 years earlier he sold a house for $101,000. Recently, that same property sold for $245,000.
than 25 people. The purpose of the meeting was to inform about the impact Amendment 3
would have on Bartow city operations should it be passed by at least 60 percent of
voters. Photo by Steven Steiner
Danny Kushmer, who recently moved back to Bartow from Hillsborough County, echoed a similar point: the current homestead exemption has held steady at $50,000 while property values have continued to rise.
Yet another person asked who would decide which services would be cut should Amendment 3 pass. The answer is that the city manager and department heads begin deliberations from January to May, and then present them to the city commission. Herr floated the possibility of forming a citizens committee so that residents have a say.
In her closing remarks, when commissioners were asked to present themselves, Mayor Tanya Tucker urged people to be stringent in gathering information.
“Do your research. Don’t rely on social media,” she said, especially because a lot of misinformation is being put out. She offered final words should Amendment 3 pass. “Yes, we will survive. It will be difficult.”
About Amendment 3
If at least 60 percent of voters approve, the state’s homestead exemption will increase from its current rate of $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028. Starting in 2029, the exemption would be adjusted annually for inflation. However, this would not be applied to school districts.
According to the Florida Policy Institute, a research organization, Amendment 3 would erode local revenue and leave counties, municipalities, and special districts with “limited options to pay for the local services Floridians rely on,” including public hospitals, emergency preparedness and management, police and fire rescue, sanitation, public parks, community centers and libraries.
According to another research organization, the Tax Foundation, costs will shift, as localities either raise taxes and fees or cut public services.
Public Meeting Schedule
For more information, the City of Bartow will hold a community meeting on property tax reform and the city budget on Sept. 24 and Oct. 15, from 6 to 8 PM.
Sept. 24
6-8 p.m.
Polk Street Community Center
1255 W. Polk St.
Oct.15
6-8 p.m.
Carver Recreation Center
520 Herbert Dixon Boulevard
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Sources: The Citrus Tea News, “Polk County Officials Explain Amendment 3 on Property Taxes at Town Hall,” July 14, 2026; City of Bartow public meeting on Amendment 3, Bartow Civic Center, Aug. 25, 2026, reported on scene; Florida Department of State Division of Elections, constitutional amendment ballot language, dos.fl.gov
