New Mayor Faces Tax Hit

Tiffany Moore Russell, the newly elected Orange County mayor, stated she will rely on existing county staff to address the financial impact of Amendment 3. The constitutional amendment, approved by 62 percent of Florida voters, lowers the assessed value of homes to reduce property tax burdens. This change is expected to cost Orange County $275 million in revenue by fiscal year 2028-29.

The tax relief package raises the homestead exemption limit from $50,000 to $150,000 starting next year. It will increase to $250,000 in 2028. By that point, homeowners will pay taxes as if their properties were worth $250,000 less than their actual market value. County staff estimate this reduction will force cuts to public services or the creation of new charges.

Moore Russell outlined three core priorities for her transition: effective government, opportunity, and quality of life. She described these as intentionally broad areas to avoid predetermined answers. "We need to ask questions. We need to listen. And we need to understand the challenges and opportunities before us," she said on the day after her victory as the county's first Black woman mayor.

The mayor-elect previously opposed Amendment 3 during the campaign. Now that it is law, she acknowledged it requires a pivot in existing plans. She stated that "everything should be up for reconsideration," including the $862 million spending plan for tourist development tax revenues recently approved by commissioners. Last month, she raised concerns that the public needed more time to review that spending plan.

Moore Russell did not commit to specific program cuts or new fees. She mentioned that the county may need to halt hiring processes or capital improvement projects. "I believe we have great staff here in Orange County who [have] already been exploring the ‘what-if?’ question, and I look forward to hearing what they've been exploring so far," she said.

She announced Wednesday that Michael Griffin will lead her transition team. Griffin serves as senior vice president of advocacy and public policy at AdventHealth. He previously held senior leadership roles at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts and spent 25 years as a reporter and editor at the Orlando Sentinel. A new website is now available for residents to follow updates on the transition process.