07/17/2026
Homestead Property Taxes may be subject to reduction this November. If so, it is likely that alternative revenue sources will need to be explored. This could potentially be a viable solution: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EUg9xSG23/
PENNY SALES TAX: The Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to pursue a legislative initiative that could eventually eliminate county and city general property taxes on homesteaded properties, replacing them with a voter-approved one-cent sales tax.
The initiative, titled “A Penny to Save Our County Homes, a Zero Homestead Millage Initiative,” was developed by Chairman Trey Goodwin with assistance from Deputy County Administrator Craig Coffey and County Administrator John Hofstad. It would require the Florida Legislature to authorize a new type of local-option sales surtax before any county could act on it.
The concept is straightforward in principle: if state lawmakers created the tool, a county could place a referendum on a general election ballot asking voters whether they want to swap general millage on homesteaded properties for a one-penny sales tax. Passage would require a 60% supermajority.
In Okaloosa County, Goodwin said the numbers support the concept. According to the agenda documents, the county currently collects approximately $37 million annually in general millage from homestead property owners. A one-cent sales tax, split between the county and its nine cities under existing state revenue-sharing formulas, could generate enough to replace those dollars entirely, Goodwin said.
“Not only are you getting it off the homestead bill, you’re actually shifting it to outside dollars, which are the best dollars to use,” Goodwin told commissioners.
The proposal would apply only to county and city general revenue millage. It would not affect school district taxes, independent special districts, fire districts, non-ad valorem assessments, MSTUs or MSBUs.
Full story: https://getthecoast.com/okaloosa-commissioners-to-explore-penny-sales-tax-initiative-that-could-replace-homestead-property-taxes/
