Governor Ron DeSantis met with Brevard County officials and residents in Melbourne on Monday to discuss his plan to eliminate non-homestead property taxes in Florida. The roundtable took place at the Melbourne Regional Chamber of Commerce building, according to attendees. DeSantis outlined his proposal during the 90-minute session, which included representatives from Brevard County government, school boards, and local businesses.
The governor emphasized that non-homestead taxes—charged on second homes, rental properties, and commercial real estate—account for about 25% of Florida’s property tax revenue. He argued the change would reduce the tax burden on primary homeowners while increasing funding for education and infrastructure. Local leaders raised questions about how the state would offset the lost revenue and whether the policy would affect local control over taxation.
Melbourne Mayor Buddy Dyer attended the meeting and said the discussion was productive but noted concerns about implementation. 'We need to ensure this doesn’t create unintended consequences for counties that rely on those taxes,' Dyer said. Brevard County Commissioner Jerry Demings also participated, calling the proposal 'a step in the right direction' but stressing the need for 'careful planning.'
The event was livestreamed by WINK News, which will publish a recap later this week. DeSantis’ office did not confirm if similar roundtables are planned in other counties. The governor has previously called for statewide tax reform, including a 2023 proposal to cap property tax increases at 3% annually.