Tax Facts
Florida lawmakers are considering several property tax reform proposals, including eliminating all non-school local property taxes for qualifying homestead properties (the city and county portions of your property tax bill).
The information below explains how the City of Winter Garden General Fund Operating Budget could be impacted if all non-school local property taxes for qualifying homestead properties are eliminated, while ensuring public safety is not compromised.
City of Winter Garden Could Lose $13.8 Million in Revenue if Enacted
Loss of Revenue = Loss of City Services & Programs
Important: Not all property taxes would disappear, as residents would still pay school and special district taxes, which represents 43% of the property tax bill. The remaining 57% of the tax bill, for which homestead properties would be exempt from paying, provides the funds needed for City services, programs, and amenities.
- The City’s tax base is 68% residential, and 67% of those homes have a homestead exemption.
- If city and county portions of your property tax bill are eliminated on qualifying homestead properties, the City would lose $13.8 million annually—about 20% of our operating budget.
- A $13.8 million loss would force major cuts to City services, programs, and amenities that make Winter Garden a great place to live and work.
The City supports responsible, thoughtful tax reform that protects homeowners while ensuring cities can maintain services that safeguard property values and quality of life. We believe Winter Garden residents should be the sole decision makers about Winter Garden’s quality of life. Our City should not have its future determined by voters in larger metropolitan areas whose priorities, challenges, and expectations may not reflect our own.
If you support Winter Garden residents making decisions about Winter Garden’s future, please contact your State Representatives below and let them know that you do not support a statewide, one-size-fits-all approach to property tax reform. Rather, you support decisions on property tax reform being made at the local level.
- Rep. Doug Bankson – doug.bankson@flhouse.gov
- Rep. Leonard Spencer – leonard.spencer@flhouse.gov
- Sen. Keith Truenow – truenow.keith.web@flsenate.gov
- Sen. Lavon Bracy Davis – bracydavis.lavon.web@flsenate.gov
Learn more about property taxes by visiting the Florida League of Cities website:
https://www.flcities.com/floridaformula/
- All residents will still pay property taxes—school and special district taxes (43% of your tax bill).
- Homestead properties would no longer pay city and county taxes (57% of your tax bill).
- Eliminating local property taxes on homestead properties would create a $13.8 million loss in City revenue, which may result in higher millage rates, additional special assessments, increased fees for services, and potential cuts to city services including amenities.
- These changes could adversely impact rental costs, investments, the local economy, and quality of life for Winter Garden residents.
- The 2026 Florida Election (Nov. 3) will likely include a property tax reform measure—your vote matters.