MediaUpdate

​Alachua County and Gainesville leaders are taking another step toward deciding the future home of the Hoggetowne Medieval Faire.

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​The city of Gainesville voted for staff to continue negotiations with Gainesville Raceway, host of Gatornationals and owned by the National Hot Rod Association, to restore the Hoggetowne Medieval Faire to its former setup—a multi-weekend, ticketed event. 

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​Amid local leaders urging caution, the Alachua County Property Appraiser’s Office is working to help voters understand a newly proposed constitutional amendment on Florida’s property taxes that will appear on the November 2026 ballot.

​What did the state vote on?

On June 2, the Florida Legislature passed a proposed constitutional amendment that will appear on the November 2026 general election ballot. If approved, the measure would significantly reduce property taxes levied across municipalities.

In a 30-9 vote, the Florida Senate approved the “Save Our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes” measure, joining the House in placing the proposed amendment before voters.​

​The proposal would increase the homestead exemption on county property taxes to $150,000 on Jan. 1, 2027, and to $250,000 on Jan. 1, 2028.

The amendment requires at least 60% voter approval to take effect.

Non-homesteaded residential and non-residential properties will benefit from the proposal by cutting the assessed value increase limit in half, decreasing from 10% to 5%.

​Alachua County Property Appraiser’s response

Alachua County Property Appraiser Ayesha Solomon said in a June 5 statement that the proposed amendment would increase homestead exemptions, adjust assessment limits for non-homesteaded properties, and preserve existing taxpayer protections such as portability and other constitutional exemptions available to Florida property owners.

As the appraiser’s office works to ensure all taxable property is assessed equitably and at fair market value in accordance with Florida law, Solomon said the proposal represents one of the most comprehensive changes to the state’s property tax system in recent years.

​“Whether you own a home, operate a business, own rental property, or plan to become a Florida homeowner in the future, this proposal has the potential to affect you,” Solomon said. “That is why understanding the facts before casting a ballot is so important.”

She added that current legislative discussions indicate the provision is intended to apply to individuals who become permanent Florida residents and establish a homestead beginning in 2027.

​The proposal would leave existing protections in place, including the Save Our Homes assessment limitation, portability benefits and exemptions for seniors, veterans, people with disabilities, and widows and widowers.

Additional guidance and implementation details are expected if voters approve the amendment.

​What are local leaders saying?

One of the newer provisions would require local governments and municipalities to spend remaining property tax revenue only on specific categories, such as public schools, public safety and infrastructure. Several Alachua County leaders have weighed in.

Gainesville City Commissioner Bryan Eastman said in a May 31 social media post, citing data from the Alachua County Property Appraiser’s Office, that the proposal could result in nearly $49 million in lost revenue for the county, including more than $42 million for public schools, $12.74 million from the municipal services taxing unit that funds the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office. and $12.6 million from the city of Gainesville.

​Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward also raised concerns, noting that Floridians already face high insurance costs while paying relatively low property taxes compared to other states.

“The governor and the Legislature could have chosen to hold a special session to regulate the cost of insurance for Florida’s working families,” Ward said. “Instead, they’re holding a special session to punch down at cities and counties.”

He added that the measure could increase the cost of living for renters while reducing local services.

“This will end up raising the cost of living for those who rent their homes, while slashing the services and amenities cities and counties provide for all our neighbors,” Ward said.

Hawthorne Mayor Jacquelyn Randall said residents deserve meaningful affordability relief but emphasized the need to protect essential services.

“For small cities like Hawthorne, property taxes fund infrastructure, public safety, and everyday services residents depend on,” Randall said. “Any proposal that cuts local revenue must include a responsible plan to protect those vital services and preserve local decision-making, or people will pay more in the long run.”

​Newberry Mayor Tim Marden told The Sun on June 8 that local governments would be better served by trimming their budgets rather than trying to convince voters to reject the measure.

“Being more proactive in anticipation of the tax being passed,” Marden said. “These officials are trying to get voters to vote against the measure to protect themselves.”

Former Alachua County Commissioner Raemi Eagle-Glenn said in a social media post that voting to cut homestead property taxes is a “no-brainer.” She noted that her taxable property value already includes a $50,000 deduction and argued the county could continue delivering services even with reduced revenue.

“DeSantis proposes a $150,000 deduction for 2027 property taxes, then a $250,000 deduction by 2028,” Eagle-Glenn said. “Our counties will ease into the new deductions. No, services will not be cut like having the rug pulled out from under us.”

What’s next?

Alachua County commissioners are scheduled to hear a staff presentation on the proposed amendment’s potential financial impact during a June 9 meeting.

​Alachua County families hoping to bring home a pet this month will not pay adoption fees.

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​The Alachua County Commission and the City of Gainesville Commission will hold a joint meeting on Monday, June 8, 2026. The meeting begins at 1 p.m. in the Grace Knight Conference Room on the second floor of the Alachua County Administration Building (12 SE 1st St., Gainesville).

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​State Attorney Brian Kramer has notified Alachua County that he will not prosecute violations of the County’s waiting period for purchasing firearms because of an agreement that is pending in a United States District Court.

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​The City of Gainesville Office of Equity & Inclusion and the Alachua County Equal Opportunity Office will host the 16th Annual Gainesville-Alachua County Employment Law Seminar on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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​State Attorney Brian Kramer sent a letter to Alachua County commissioners Thursday afternoon saying he will no longer enforce gun sale waiting periods.

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​The Florida Legislature is advancing a proposal to raise homestead exemptions from $50,000 to $250,000 if approved by citizens, and local cities are counting the cost to their budgets. 

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​At two special meetings on June 2, the Alachua County Commission learned that NW 83rd Street will be paved in 2027 and discussed data centers and potential changes to the budget if a constitutional amendment to limit property taxes on homesteaded properties is approved by the voters.

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​Water buffalo will roam inside the Alachua County Agriculture and Equestrian Center in a few months.

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​In a two-hour zig-zag tour across Alachua County, Eben Broadbent, a University of Florida professor, showcased the county’s prehistoric-like beauty as well as what he fears the area will become.

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​The Alachua County Broadband Initiative is hosting three free Fiber Education and Digital Literacy events on Thursday, June 11, 2026, in partnership with Kinetic. The events will focus on fiber broadband education, cybersecurity and digital literacy. 

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