<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1mgor4_1GxmXeFo00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1mgor4_1GxmXeFo00" width="2048" height="1365" ><figcaption>Brett Moss listens to a speaker at a Key Biscayne Village Council meeting May 14, 2024 (KBI Photo/Tony Winton)</figcaption></figure>While the rest of Miami-Dade County is bracing for large service cuts following the passage of Amendment 3, incoming Mayor Brett Moss says the Village of Key Biscayne is in a safe position — at least, for now. But storm clouds could be on the horizon for County services the island depends on. Nearly five million voters decided last Tuesday to pass a new homestead tax exemption in Florida that will reduce property taxes for some homeowners in the state.Amendment 3, which needed 60% approval and received 62%, increases the $50,000 homestead exemption to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028. In Key Biscayne, 68.86% voted ‘yes’ while 31.14% voted ‘no’, a difference of 1,771 votes. The Florida Office of Economic and Demographic Research estimated the Village would lose over $1 million in 2027-2028; $2.04 million in 2028-2029; and $2.24 between 2029-2030 from the amendment. Miami-Dade County estimates they’ll collect $385.8 million less in property taxes at current rates beginning October 2027. It will increase to $696.7 million less in October 2028.Moss said he voted against the Amendment 3, but told the Independent that the island won’t be severely impacted since it’s in a “strong position” from a history of fiscally responsible governance that balanced municipal services with budgeting. “Property tax revenues reduced by a state mandate threaten smaller lower-wealth communities that rely on every dollar of their tax base just to provide essential services. Without that revenue, these municipalities risk disappearing entirely,” Moss said.Village CFO Benjamin Nussbaum echoed Moss in saying that no alarm bells need to be sounded. However, he told the Independent the Village still has to review contracts, alternative revenues, the millage-rate and other expenditure reductions to determine if any financial changes need to be made.“We’ll be working with the Council and community during our spring strategy sessions and June budget workshop to evaluate our options and determine what adjustments, if any, may be needed,” he said.Proponents of the amendment argued it will filter out wasteful spending and force local governments to become more efficient. Moss said for Key Biscayne, that means a search to find revenue through aggressive commercial development or new fees and taxes. “I am not interested in nickel-and-diming our residents with new fees and uncertainty, not with commercial development,” he said. “Key Biscayne will continue to sharpen its own operation efficiency, making adjustments as needed to sustain the high standard of service our community expects and deserves.”Moss also said the Village has high property values paired with a low millage rate which reduces the a fiscal threat.Property taxes make up 71% of the Village’s revenue. Fees – such as stormwater charges billed directly to property owners –, make up another. When property values rise, the tax base grows, increasing governmental revenue. The recently approved budget in Key Biscayne lowered the property millage rate from 2.8846 to 2.8708, a 0.48% decrease. But with the island’s taxable property base increasing, the average property tax bill is rising by about 4.6%, Nussbaum previously told the Independent. Homeowners with “Homestead” properties would see a smaller increase of about 2.2%.Nussbaum added that other municipalities like Biscayne Park and Opa-locka are approaching Florida’s constitutional 10-mill limit that leaves taxing authorities less flexibility to increase their millage rate and offset potential revenue losses from the homestead exemption.Some Miami-Dade officials say to brace for impact from Amendment 3, others aren’t alarmed Gov. Ron DeSantis said Wednesday he would hold a special legislative session to enact the tax cut, a policy he had been championing for over a year. Many firefighters, police officers and local municipalities argued it would strain local revenue sources. “We cannot minimize what the passage of Amendment 3 means for our ability to deliver the services our residents depend on,” Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levin Cava said in a statement. “We know that families across Miami-Dade are struggling with the cost of living, and their desire for relief is undeniable.” Levin Cava said her office will work closely with the Office of Management and Budget to address the financial challenges ahead. While Key Biscayne operates its own police and fire departments, the island relies on the County for a myriad of services including environmental protection, the county’s water and sewer department and transportation. Nussbaum said it’s too early to know whether services will be cut or taxes will be raised.“The Crandon beach or the Rickenbacker Causeway — obviously things that affect us in our day-to-day life — if those suffer from cuts at the County level, we’ll definitely be monitoring,” he said.In an Instagram reel, Commissioner Raquel Regalado said the exemption “is not a crisis,” but an opportunity to “course correct the County.” Regalado, who has previously said she is running for County Mayor, said she is setting up four listening tours in the next two weeks to discuss Amendment 3 and what the County should be prioritizing. She will be holding them Nov. 10, Nov. 17, Nov. 18 and Nov. 19.</div></body>

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While the rest of Miami-Dade County is bracing for large service cuts following the passage of Amendment 3, incoming Mayor Brett Moss says the Village of Key Biscayne is in a safe position — at least, for now. But storm clouds could be on the horizon for County services...

Moss: Key Biscayne is in safe position after Amendment 3 passes

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While the rest of Miami-Dade County is bracing for large service cuts following the passage of Amendment 3, incoming Mayor Brett Moss says the Village of K

Moss: Key Biscayne is in safe position after Amendment 3 passes

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