The Associated Press called Amendment 3 approved. Unofficial Florida Election Watch returns checked at 12:54 p.m. EST Nov. 4 showed 4,917,482 yes votes statewide, or 61.99%. Sarasota County faces a separately projected $241 million revenue shortfall over two years, according to Suncoast Searchlight.

The property tax cut cleared the 60% threshold needed to amend the state constitution. With 95% of ballots counted on election night, the measure drew 62% support statewide, first reported by Suncoast Searchlight. Support topped 62% in Sarasota County, 65% in Manatee County and 64% in DeSoto County.

Sarasota County Commissioner Tom Knight said he plans to treat the next budget cycle like a recession.

"I'm certain we won't be filling positions," Knight said, "and possibly, laying people off."

The amendment, a priority of outgoing Gov. Ron DeSantis, raises the homestead exemption for non-school taxes from $50,000 to $150,000 next year and to $250,000 in 2028. It also cuts in half the annual cap on assessment increases for non-homestead properties such as vacation homes and businesses, dropping it from 10% to 5%. The average Sarasota County homeowner is expected to save about $700 a year by 2028, according to Suncoast Searchlight.

An independent statewide research institute projected Sarasota County would face shortfalls of $241 million over the first two years alone, according to Suncoast Searchlight. A separate analysis by the Florida Policy Institute estimated property-tax revenue losses across county governments, municipalities and special districts in Sarasota County would total $250.3 million over the first two fiscal years.

The city of Sarasota projected a $5.6 million loss to its general fund but had not fully calculated the impact on other parts of its budget.

'Disastrous,' one commissioner says

Sarasota City Commissioner Liz Alpert called the result devastating for local governments.

"I think it is going to be really disastrous for cities and counties across the state," Alpert said on election night.

The Florida Legislature placed Amendment 3 on the ballot in June at DeSantis' urging. Because it is now part of the state constitution, reversing it would require another amendment and another statewide vote with 60% approval, according to Sarasota Magazine.

State economists projected the changes would cut local government property tax collections across Florida by $4.95 billion in the first year alone. That figure is projected to climb to $11.86 billion by fiscal year 2031-32, a cumulative $45.8 billion loss to cities, counties, water management districts and other local taxing bodies over five years.

Sarasota already slowed hiring

Sarasota County had already begun preparing. County Administrator Jonathan Lewis outlined a restrictive hiring strategy ahead of the vote, limiting recruitment to positions deemed mission-critical, WGCU reported in October. The county had 162 vacant positions as of Oct. 9.

The city of Sarasota put a temporary hold on vacant positions on June 30 and was recruiting for only 10 of its 57 open slots, according to city spokesperson Luke Mocherman.

Property taxes fund about 52% of the city's $113 million general fund and about 66% of the county's $466 million operating budget, according to the Sarasota Observer.

Holly Bullard, a policy expert with the Florida Policy Institute who lives in Sarasota, said she hopes local officials can find new revenue to avoid deep cuts.

"My worry is there is not enough political will," Bullard said. "Floridians must push to save the services that families rely on."

Florida TaxWatch noted that the amendment does not prohibit local governments from raising millage rates or creating new fees to offset lost revenue. It also provides no state reimbursement to counties for the losses.