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Florida voters just passed the biggest property tax cut in Florida history, and seven days later one county was already plotting how to put that money right back on your tax bill. You told them to keep their hands off your money, and they've already figured out a brand new way to take it right back.
THIS IS A MUST WATCH: Full video with all the details here: [Click to Watch]
On November 10th, Hillsborough County Commissioner Chris Boles asked the board to start the paperwork for a non-ad valorem assessment for fire service. It's a fee that shows up right on your property tax bill, but it isn't based on what your house is worth, so your property tax cut can't touch it. Chairman Ken Hagan asked to throw in a second one for parks. It passed 6 to 1. Josh Wostal was the only no vote.
Hillsborough says the property tax cut costs them $367 million a year. But their budget went from $9.033 billion in 2024 to $14.1 billion this year. That's over $5 billion more in three years.
And the very next item on the agenda could've covered the whole thing. Five unpaid volunteers on the county's own DOGE committee, forensic accountants, CPAs, lawyers and HR professionals, spent a year digging through the budget. They found $678 million that could be cut or needs a hard second look. $214 million in contracts the county literally labeled Miscellaneous. $44 million in fleet purchases sitting unused. $18.4 million in contracts with no competitive bidding.
The report sat online for five months. When Commissioner Donna Cameron Cepeda asked for a public workshop, Commissioner Christine Miller, who pushed to create the committee in the first place, called it self-serving and said 93% of the budget is already managed responsibly. Would you be excited if your county commissioner told you they're 93% effective with your money? My first question would be, what about the other 7%? The motion failed 5 to 2.
So I sat down with DOGE Chairman Jake Hoffman to get his side. That $678 million is almost double what the county says it's losing. And he told me about a $3,000 didgeridoo at the library. I'm not making that up. You gotta watch the video! 🤦🏻♂️
For months, Hillsborough warned the tax cut would hit the Sheriff and fire rescue. Layoffs, hiring freezes, pay freezes. Then a few hours after starting that fire fee, they voted to put the first $90 million of sales tax money toward the new Tampa Bay Rays stadium and borrow up to $263 million more. The county's share is up to $796 million. When it's deputies and firefighters, they're broke. When it's a ballpark, they've got plenty of your money to spend. They also handed about $1.95 million in property tax money to 10 fraternities and sororities in just four years.
Now the clock is ticking. January 1st is the last day most Florida counties can lock in a brand new fee for next year's tax bill. Hillsborough's hearing is December 16th, and if they pull this off, every other county in Florida is gonna run the same play. DeSantis called for a special session to stop local governments "from doing an end-run around the amendment and taxing them in other ways." So far, the Legislature hasn't committed. Incoming House Speaker Sam Garrison said, "I personally am of the belief, I'd rather be right than be quick." That's no bueno. You won the vote. Now they're trying to win it back, one fee at a time.
Watch the Full video with all the details here: [Click to Watch]
Now that Amendment 3 passed, want to know how much money you're gonna save on your Florida property taxes? I just built a free property tax savings calculator. Go to grantgwarrington.com/save. Just enter your email, and in about two minutes you're gonna know how much money is going back in your pocket.
P.S. - Hey if you're new here, I break down what's really happening in Florida. If you've been watching for a while, join the channel and become a Florida Patriot. You'll get access to members only content where I give you my raw take on the Florida stories that matter most. Click Here to Join
P.P.S. And don't forget if you're looking to buy or sell a house in Florida, my wife Monika's a licensed agent and she'll help you find a great realtor anywhere in the state. Click here to get started.
