‘It’s going to be painful’: St. Johns County puts fire station on hold, plans staff cuts amid Amendment 3 fallout

Key Points:

• St. Johns County is facing significant budget cuts due to Florida's Amendment 3, which will reduce local ad valorem tax revenue by up to 45% by fiscal year 2032, potentially resulting in a $191.6 million loss.
• The county began preparing months before the election by reviewing services and projects, implementing a permanent hiring freeze, and setting aside over $61 million in reserves for financial resiliency.
• Approximately $100 million in capital improvement projects, including a new fire station, have been paused, and a previously approved $120 million bond for parks, fire stations, and libraries is under reconsideration.
• Non-mandated services such as parks and recreation, libraries, and Health and Human Services face potential cuts as the county seeks to reduce expenses without introducing new fees.
• No formal budget decisions have been made yet; a public discussion is planned for December, with county officials emphasizing the need to respect voter mandates while managing difficult financial adjustments.