Ditchmen • NUCA of Florida Ditchmen - August 2020 | Page 12

to be below the threshold that would produce a
statewide economic impact. Because there are no
revenues linked to voting in Florida, there will be no
impact on government taxes or fees.
AMENDMENT 5
TITLE: FLORIDA EXTEND “SAVE OUR HOMES”
PORTABILITY PERIOD
BALLOT SUMMARY: Extends the period during
which a person may transfer Save Our Homes benefits
to a new homestead property from two years
to three years.
SPONSOR: FLORIDA LEGISLATURE
YES VOTE: IF APPROVED, HOMEOWNERS WILL BE
ABLE TO TRANSFER SAVE OUR HOMES BENEFITS
TO A NEW HOME FOR THREE YEARS.
NO VOTE: LEAVES CURRENT HOMESTEAD PROP-
ERTY PORTABILITY PERIOD AT TWO YEARS.
FINANCIAL IMPACT STATEMENT (REQUIRED BY
LAW TO APPEAR ON BALLOT):
This will reduce local property taxes by $1.8 million,
beginning in fiscal year 2021-2022, eventually growing
to an annual reduction of $10.2 million.
AMENDMENT 6
TITLE: HOMESTEAD PROPERTY TAX DISCOUNT
FOR SPOUSES OF DECEASED VETERANS
BALLOT SUMMARY: Allows the same ad valorem
tax discount on homestead property for combat-disabled
veterans age 65 or older to carry
over to the surviving spouse of a veteran receiving
the discount if the surviving spouse holds legal or
beneficial title to the homestead and permanently
resides thereon. The discount would apply to
the property until the surviving spouse remarries,
sells, or otherwise disposes of the property. If the
surviving spouse sells the property, the discount
may be transferred to the surviving spouse’s new
residence, not to exceed the dollar amount granted
from the most recent ad valorem tax roll, as long as
the residence is used as the surviving spouse’s permanent
residence and he or she does not remarry.
SPONSOR: FLORIDA LEGISLATURE
YES VOTE: IF APPROVED, ALLOWS SURVIVING
SPOUSE OF DECEASED COMBAT-DISABLED VET-
ERAN TO CONTINUE TO RECEIVE AD VALOREM
TAX DISCOUNT UNTIL REMARRIED OR DECEASED.
NO VOTE: LEAVES CONSTITUTION AS IS, WHICH
DOES NOT ENSURE SURVIVING SPOUSE CAN
CONTINUTE TO RECEIVE AD VALOREM TAX DIS-
COUNT.
FINANCIAL IMPACT STATEMENT (REQUIRED BY
LAW TO APPEAR ON BALLOT):
Assuming current millage rates, the proposed constitutional
amendment will have a negative impact
on school tax revenues of $0.4 million in fiscal year
(FY) 2021-22 with a recurring negative impact of
$1.6 million. The negative impact on non-school
property tax revenues is estimated to be $0.6 million
in FY 2021-22 with a recurring negative impact
of $2.4 million.
10 DITCHMEN • AUGUST 2020