Property tax amendment could cut Manatee County public safety budget

MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. (WWSB) - A proposed property tax amendment could provide tax relief for Florida homeowners, but Manatee County leaders warn it could also remove millions of dollars from public safety and other local services.Amendment 3 would increase the homestead exemption for certain property taxes. It would not eliminate all property taxes.At a Manatee Chamber of Commerce forum, local leaders raised questions about how cities, counties and public safety agencies would make up lost revenue if the amendment passes.The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office says the potential impact on its budget could reach tens of millions of dollars.“We’re looking at twenty-three million dollars in my budget being cut the first year, and then a total of fifty million dollars for the second year,” Sheriff Rick Wells said.Wells said the amendment could force difficult decisions about staffing, contracts and services, including school resource officers.Amendment 3 vote could reshape Florida homeowners’