St. Johns County Halts $100 Million in Capital Improvement Projects Amidst Potential Property Tax Changes
St. Johns County has placed approximately $100 million in capital improvement projects on hold. This decision comes as the county prepares for potential significant changes to property tax revenue, contingent on the approval of Amendment 3 by Florida voters in November. Amendment 3, if passed with 60% of the vote, would increase the homestead exemption from $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028. The county has created a webpage to inform residents about the amendment's potential impact on revenue and current property tax allocations. County Administrator Joy Andrews emphasized the need for "thoughtful decisions" to protect essential services and avoid committing resources that may become unavailable. The county has also identified $2.6 million in recommended but paused FY 2027 positions and allocated $30 million for financial resiliency in response to Amendment 3, in addition to $31.2 million in emergency response reserves.
