Florida Voters Approve $1.9 Billion in Local Tax Increases and Almost $1 Billion in Local Bond Issues, According to Florida TaxWatch Report

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) released 2024 Florida Tax & Bond Referenda: Florida Voters Continue Their Generosity, Approving $1.9B in Local Tax Increases and Almost $1.0B in Bond Issues a briefing examining the trend of Florida voters approving tax increases at the local level. Florida voters have been quite receptive to local tax increases, having voted to increase their own taxes 177 times between 2010 and 2022 (Florida TaxWatch Report: Florida Voters Continue to Say Yes to Proposed Tax Increases, January 2023). This trend continued through the 2024 General Election.

In the 2023 and 2024 elections, voters in 24 Florida counties approved another 31 county-wide sales and property tax increases or extensions worth $1.9 billion annually. Voters also approved 18 bond issues totaling nearly one billion dollars. These bonds will largely be paid off with property taxes.

Only three county-wide sales and property tax referenda and three bond issues were voted down. These referenda had a success rate of 89 percent. In addition, three counties voted to increase their Tourist Development Tax levies ($9.4 million) and voters in four special districts increased their taxes or special assessments.

Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro said, “At the state level, taxpayers in Florida have enjoyed tax cuts passed by the Legislature in every year since 2009. This includes record tax relief packages in recent years, made possible by large windfall revenues. However, local taxes--especially property taxes—are rising. Moreover, Florida will continue to rely heavily on cities, counties, school districts, and special districts to fund the cost of government. This is not a bad thing. Taxes are best levied closest to those paying them, especially if those being taxed have a say in their imposition.”

Florida TaxWatch Executive Vice President and General Counsel Jeff Kottkamp said, “Florida taxpayers have shown they are willing to pay more taxes if they are used for a specific purpose and are limited in time. Many of the tax referenda in recent years created a citizen oversight committee to monitor the spending of these new dollars. Florida TaxWatch supports such oversite committees to safeguard taxpayer dollars and has served in this important role in previous referenda. We welcome the opportunity to assist any community that want to ensure their tax dollars are being spent appropriately.”

Florida TaxWatch has been compiling local tax and bond referenda since 2010, detailing the 177 tax referenda worth $7.0 billion and the 80 bond issues worth $7.4 billion approved by voters.  After the 2023-2024 election cycle, the totals now stand at 215 tax increases or extensions ($8.9 billion) and 98 bond issues ($8.4 billion).

Referenda proposing local option sales taxes and ad valorem (property tax) levies for schools are generally required by state law. Local governments also occasionally let the voters decide on property taxes for other issues, including conservation and environmental land purchases, children’s services, libraries, cultural and historic projects, and even mosquito control and animal services. The report addresses the following taxes and bond issues:

• Local Options Sales Taxes - In 2024, Florida voters passed 16 sales tax referenda, worth $1.2 billion. Since 2010, 89 sales tax referenda, worth $4.7 billion in annual tax revenue, have been approved.
• School Property Taxes - In 2024, Florida voters passed 13 property tax referenda, worth $632 million in annual tax revenue. Since 2010, 122 property tax referenda, worth $4.2 billion in annual tax revenue, have been approved.
• Bond Issues - In 2024, Florida voters approved 18 bond referenda, worth $934 million, most of which will be paid back using property taxes. Since 2010, 98 bond issues worth $8.4 billion have been approved.
• Other Taxes – See report for information on local Tourist Development Tax (TDT) and property tax or special assessment increases.
• Economic Development Property Tax Exemptions – See report for information on voters giving local county commissions and municipal governing bodies the authority to grant property tax exemptions to new and expanding businesses.

For more information and to access the full report, please click here.

About Florida TaxWatch
As an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit government watchdog and taxpayer research institute, and the trusted “eyes and ears” of Florida taxpayers for more than 45 years, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) works to improve the productivity and accountability of Florida government. Its research recommends productivity enhancements and explains the statewide impact of fiscal and economic policies and practices on taxpayers and businesses. FTW is supported by its membership via voluntary, tax-deductible donations and private grants. Donations provide a solid, lasting foundation that has enabled FTW to bring about a more effective, responsive government that is more accountable to, and productive for, the taxpayers it has served since 1979. For more information, please visit www.floridataxwatch.org.