Largo Town Hall Meeting: Amendment 3 - Homestead Exemption
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Largo to Host Town Hall on Proposed Homestead Exemption Amendment 3.
The City of Largo will hold a public town hall meeting on September 9 to discuss Amendment 3, a statewide ballot measure that would increase the homestead exemption from $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027 and to $250,000 in 2028.
The event is open to the public and is intended to help residents understand the proposed amendment and its potential effects on local government finances. The program will feature brief presentations on the city’s budget, an analysis of possible impacts, and remarks from invited participants and stakeholders. A professionally moderated panel discussion and audience question-and-answer session will follow.
Former state Sen. Jeff Brandes of the Florida Policy Project is scheduled to participate. Brandes, who opposes Amendment 3, is one of three plaintiffs in a Leon County lawsuit challenging the underlying “Save Our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes” legislation approved on June 2, 2026.
Budget and Property Tax Context:
Pinellas County projects $37.22 million in ad valorem tax revenue for Largo in fiscal year 2027, an increase of $1.571 million (4.4 percent) from the prior year, driven by questionable higher property values and new construction. To address budget needs, city officials have proposed raising the millage rate to 5.52 mills, a 2.47 percent increase that would generate approximately $1.7 million in additional revenue. Combined, the higher valuations and proposed rate adjustment would produce a total property-tax revenue increase of about 6.87 percent.
City presentations on the proposed rate and long-range financial plans, including the Capital Improvement Program, were discussed at the July 21 commission meeting (available online beginning at the 54:47 mark of the archived video). https://play.champds.com/largofl/event/327/s/2670
Other Financial Notes:
City records and recent discussions have also addressed several capital and operational items, including 13 million hidden cost overruns on the Horizon Building project. On going negotiations with Biltmore Construction and the unpaid 1.5 million fixing ASD-SKY design errors. 850K incentives for Horizon retail buildout costs of Parlor, Stranchan's and Papas. 600K to 750K in buildout allowance for the newest Horizon retail tenant Bocelli Modern Italian Restaurant. 2 million funding for Largo Central Park playground improvements. 600K requests for larger police vehicles assigned to K9 and specialized LEO's and the 600K shortfall operating performance of the Central Park Performing Arts Center.
Meeting Details:
The town hall will take place at a city facility; September 9, 2026 @ 5:45 pm. Attendees are encouraged to use the parking garage off First Avenue NW. https://maps.app.goo.gl/rYe6zBgUxx4Y8ymR8
Participants may wish to bring a lawn chair and water.
The Largo Free Press has issued this notice in advance of the city's typical three-day public notification period.
The City of Largo will hold a public town hall meeting on September 9 to discuss Amendment 3, a statewide ballot measure that would increase the homestead exemption from $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027 and to $250,000 in 2028.
The event is open to the public and is intended to help residents understand the proposed amendment and its potential effects on local government finances. The program will feature brief presentations on the city’s budget, an analysis of possible impacts, and remarks from invited participants and stakeholders. A professionally moderated panel discussion and audience question-and-answer session will follow.
Former state Sen. Jeff Brandes of the Florida Policy Project is scheduled to participate. Brandes, who opposes Amendment 3, is one of three plaintiffs in a Leon County lawsuit challenging the underlying “Save Our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes” legislation approved on June 2, 2026.
Budget and Property Tax Context:
Pinellas County projects $37.22 million in ad valorem tax revenue for Largo in fiscal year 2027, an increase of $1.571 million (4.4 percent) from the prior year, driven by questionable higher property values and new construction. To address budget needs, city officials have proposed raising the millage rate to 5.52 mills, a 2.47 percent increase that would generate approximately $1.7 million in additional revenue. Combined, the higher valuations and proposed rate adjustment would produce a total property-tax revenue increase of about 6.87 percent.
City presentations on the proposed rate and long-range financial plans, including the Capital Improvement Program, were discussed at the July 21 commission meeting (available online beginning at the 54:47 mark of the archived video). https://play.champds.com/largofl/event/327/s/2670
Other Financial Notes:
City records and recent discussions have also addressed several capital and operational items, including 13 million hidden cost overruns on the Horizon Building project. On going negotiations with Biltmore Construction and the unpaid 1.5 million fixing ASD-SKY design errors. 850K incentives for Horizon retail buildout costs of Parlor, Stranchan's and Papas. 600K to 750K in buildout allowance for the newest Horizon retail tenant Bocelli Modern Italian Restaurant. 2 million funding for Largo Central Park playground improvements. 600K requests for larger police vehicles assigned to K9 and specialized LEO's and the 600K shortfall operating performance of the Central Park Performing Arts Center.
Meeting Details:
The town hall will take place at a city facility; September 9, 2026 @ 5:45 pm. Attendees are encouraged to use the parking garage off First Avenue NW. https://maps.app.goo.gl/rYe6zBgUxx4Y8ymR8
Participants may wish to bring a lawn chair and water.
The Largo Free Press has issued this notice in advance of the city's typical three-day public notification period.
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Where is it happening?
400 W Bay Dr, Largo, FL 33770-3326, United States
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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Host or PublisherThe Largo Free Press
