Jupiter Town Hall. (Photo: Hap1960 via Wikimedia Commons, CC0)
By Jupiter Tide Staff
JUPITER — The Town of Jupiter has identified more than $20 million in capital projects it could put on hold if Florida voters approve Amendment 3 on Nov. 3, according to an explainer the town posted on its website.
The proposed constitutional amendment would change the property tax system so that fewer properties pay non-school property taxes, the town says. Taxes paid to the school district would not be affected.
What the town projects
Town figures estimate Amendment 3 would cut Jupiter's property tax revenue by $5.5 million in fiscal 2027 and another $10.5 million in fiscal 2028, for a two-year total of $16 million. The town says it cannot estimate the effect after fiscal 2028 because later changes would depend on the Florida Legislature.
Jupiter expects to collect about $66.9 million in property taxes in fiscal 2027, according to the town. That includes $36.7 million for the General Fund, which mainly covers the Police Department's $35.6 million budget; $21.6 million for the Fire Fund, which pays for the new Jupiter Fire Rescue Department; $6.5 million for the Capital Improvement Program; and $2.2 million for the Community Redevelopment Agency. The town says the fiscal 2027 loss would equal about an 8.2% drop in property tax revenue.
What could be paused
After two budget workshops, the Town Council told staff to look first at reducing or delaying capital spending before cutting services, the town says. Projects on the list include:
the southern extension of Island Way
renovation of the Jupiter Community Center
athletic field and playground renovations
work at Jupiter Community Park, Abacoa Community Park, Lighthouse Park, Maplewood Park and Indian Creek Park
"A pause does not mean these projects have been canceled, but if Amendment 3 passes, these projects could be canceled," the town wrote. Planning would continue, but contracts and spending would be put on hold.
Council on record
On Oct. 20, the council voted 4-1 to approve Resolution 130-26, joining the Palm Beach County League of Cities in opposing Amendment 3, according to the town clerk's meeting synopsis. Councilor Malise Sundstrom made the motion and Councilor Dan Guisinger seconded it. Mayor Jim Kuretski, Councilor Ron Delaney, Sundstrom and Guisinger voted yes. Vice Mayor Phyllis Choy voted no.
What's next
The town says no final decisions on services or programs have been made. If the amendment passes, it expects to hold another public budget workshop in late November or early December, where the council would review updated figures and set project schedules.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Sources
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