The potential elimination of property taxes in Florida is a hot topic in Tallahassee, but officials in Vero Beach are urging residents to look closely at the price tag attached to such a cut. On Monday, Vero Beach City Council members and administrators gathered at **Vero Beach City Hall** to discuss the stark reality of what a property tax-free future would look like for the barrier island and mainland residents.
While the prospect of a lower tax bill is appealing to homeowners and real estate investors, local leaders are emphasizing that the revenue must come from somewhere. According to City officials, property taxes currently contribute approximately $14 million to the city’s coffers. To put that into perspective, this sum constitutes roughly 39 percent of Vero Beach’s entire general fund and is nearly equivalent to the annual budget of the police department.
City Manager Monte Falls and Mayor John Cotugno used the special meeting to educate the community on the trade-offs. If the state legislature moves forward with eliminating these taxes, the city would face an immediate and massive budget shortfall. Because state law largely protects public safety budgets, the police department would likely remain untouched, forcing the burden of cuts onto other quality-of-life services.
“We would have to trim back all the departments and all the functions that we do. The way the law is written now, is you can’t touch Public Safety. So, the police department we’d maintain that budget, and the cuts would have to come out of the rest.” — Monte Falls, Vero Beach City Manager
Residents accustomed to the high level of service in Vero Beach could see significant changes. Mayor Cotugno noted that one of the first items likely to be scrutinized is the lifeguard program, a critical safety feature for a coastal town, which represents a $1 million expenditure.
Beyond service cuts, the conversation highlighted a potential “tax shift.” If property tax revenue disappears, the city may be forced to monetize amenities that have historically been free for locals and visitors alike.
Potential changes discussed include:
- Eliminating free parking in the city and at beach access points.
- instituting usage fees for boat ramps.
- Charging admission or access fees for public beaches.
Mayor Cotugno described the meeting as a necessary educational step to ensure residents understand that a reduction in taxes doesn’t mean a reduction in the cost of running a city. “When somebody says they want their taxes lowered, the obvious answer is yes, but at what cost,” noted Falls.
As discussions continue in the state capital, Vero Beach officials plan to keep the frequency of these local conversations high. The goal is to ensure that every resident understands that preserving the current lifestyle—including well-maintained parks, guarded beaches, and free public access—requires a stable source of revenue, whether that comes from property taxes or new user fees.
