Franklin County sheriff says office can adjust to Amendment 3 changes

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Fla (WJHG/WECP) - Franklin County Sheriff A.J. Smith said his department is in good shape when it comes to the potential impact of Amendment 3, which would increase the homestead exemption for non-school property taxes.

The amendment could mean less revenue for local governments across Florida. In some rural counties, that is raising concerns about funding public services.

Smith said Franklin County is classified as fiscally constrained, but believes his office will handle any impacts well.

“Don’t fret, we’re still going to be here, we’re not going away, and the sheriff’s office is 131 years old, and I’m sure they’ve had lots of difficulties to overcome, almost a century and a half,” Smith said. “I feel like with the team that we have at the sheriff’s office, we’ll be able to carry our mission on with a high-level service.”

Smith said his office has some financial flexibility.

“We did a 10 percent exercise that we’re required every year, and I said the first thing I’m going to cut are probably things that have to do with the jail,” Smith said. “Of course, we already got rid of flock, so we’re saving a little bit of money there. Could be body cams and tasers, we pay 100,000 or more.”

Smith said Franklin County attracts second homeowners and vacationers. He said those properties will not be affected by Amendment 3 and can help maintain the county’s tax base.

“One of the things is we have a lot of homes that are not homesteaded here. We have a lot of beach rentals, have a lot of people that live here part time somewhere else, they’re homesteaded in another state, so hopefully we’ll be better than we anticipated,” Smith said.

Smith said he spoke with county commissioners and believes there is a shared understanding that public safety is a priority.

“This is going to be something that comes along, and we’re going to handle it, and we’re still going to provide top quality service to our citizens and our visitors,” Smith said.

Smith said his department remains prepared to respond when people need help.

It remains unclear how much of an impact the amendment will have on the sheriff’s budget until legislators work out the details. Smith said he supports the will of the people to want tax relief and will do what he can to make that decision successful.

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