Florida TaxWatch's compilation of state estimates puts Polk County's total local revenue loss from Amendment 3 at $138.7M in FY 2027-28 and $1,336.4M over five years, across 19 local governments in the estimate. The first-year hit equals 33.1% of the county government's FY 2025-26 property tax levies (statewide rank 21 of 67). The 2025 average total millage rate is 15.4378 mills (rank 32), of which 10.1478 is non-school, the part Amendment 3 affects.
Tracked fee, assessment and millage actions
No adopted changes tracked yet
We have not found a sourced fee, assessment, millage or service-cut proposal for Polk County. Watch the county commission agenda and the August 2027 TRIM notices.
Estimated revenue loss, year by year
| Fiscal year | Estimated loss |
|---|---|
| FY 2027-28 | $138.7M |
| FY 2028-29 | $239.0M |
| FY 2029-30 | $275.0M |
| FY 2030-31 | $318.1M |
| FY 2031-32 | $365.6M |
| 5-year total | $1,336.4M |
Source: Florida TaxWatch Property Tax Resource Center (Revenue Estimating Conference estimates and DOR 2025 millage, Oct 2026).
Local taxing authorities affected
| Government | Type | FY 2027-28 | 5-year total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polk County | County government | $99,223,357 | $950,237,541 |
| All ISDs in Polk | Independent Special District | $3,962,338 | $38,302,546 |
| Auburndale | Municipality | $1,962,142 | $19,475,017 |
| Bartow | Municipality | $2,077,453 | $18,957,886 |
| Davenport | Municipality | $2,652,676 | $27,108,880 |
| Dundee | Municipality | $790,827 | $7,276,772 |
| Eagle Lake | Municipality | $797,189 | $7,913,209 |
| Fort Meade | Municipality | $496,171 | $3,957,337 |
| Frostproof | Municipality | $277,246 | $2,542,057 |
| Haines City | Municipality | $5,583,978 | $58,206,853 |
| Highland Park | Municipality | $55,667 | $518,652 |
| Hillcrest Heights | Municipality | $3,758 | $32,138 |
| Lake Alfred | Municipality | $1,039,245 | $9,930,921 |
| Lake Hamilton | Municipality | $389,255 | $3,904,068 |
| Lake Wales | Municipality | $2,246,515 | $20,734,182 |
| Lakeland | Municipality | $9,507,104 | $93,334,012 |
| Mulberry | Municipality | $311,640 | $3,224,852 |
| Polk City | Municipality | $325,000 | $3,158,417 |
| Winter Haven | Municipality | $6,991,481 | $67,510,580 |
Property tax profile
- Average total millage, 2025: 15.4378 (32)
- Average non-school millage, 2025: 10.1478 (24)
- Property taxes per person, all levies: $1,295.30 (44)
- County government levies per person: $606.34 (49)
- First-year loss as share of county spending (FY 2024-25): 13.4% (23)
- Growth in total property taxes, FY 2015-16 to 2025-26: 138.9% (9)
Statewide rank in parentheses (1 = highest). Source: Florida TaxWatch Property Tax Resource Center (Revenue Estimating Conference estimates and DOR 2025 millage, Oct 2026).
What Amendment 3 means for a Polk County homeowner
Illustrative: on a $300,000 homestead at the county's average non-school rate of 10.1478 mills, non-school tax is about $2,523 under 2026 rules, $1,522 in 2027 and $507 in 2028, before any new fees or rate changes. A new resident arriving in 2027 would pay about $2,537. Run your own numbers.
Official records to watch
- Florida DOR Property Tax Data Portal (millage and taxable value files)
- DOR TRIM maximum millage reports
- Polk County commission agendas and August 2027 TRIM notices
Nearby: Pinellas County · Putnam County · all counties
Frequently asked questions
How much will Polk County lose from Amendment 3?
About $138.7M in FY 2027-28 and $1,336.4M over five years for all local governments in the county, per Revenue Estimating Conference figures compiled by Florida TaxWatch.
What is the millage rate in Polk County?
The 2025 average total millage rate is 15.4378 mills, including 10.1478 mills of non-school levies. Your exact rate depends on your city and special districts. Source: Florida TaxWatch from Florida DOR data.
Is Polk County adding a fire assessment or new fee?
No sourced proposal has been found yet. We update this page when one appears on an agenda or in a TRIM notice.
When will Polk County set its 2027 tax rates?
Florida taxing authorities propose rates in TRIM notices mailed in August and adopt them at September budget hearings. The first budget under the $150,000 exemption is FY 2027-28.
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