How could Amendment 3 affect the county Health Care District?

• Florida voters will decide on Amendment 3, which would expand homestead tax exemptions.
• Supporters believe the amendment offers tax relief, while critics worry it will reduce revenue for local services.
• The Health Care District of Palm Beach County does not anticipate raising its millage rate if the amendment passes.
• The district plans to increase revenue and reduce expenses to cope with any potential budget impacts.

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As Florida voters consider Amendment 3 on the November ballot, The Palm Beach Post is seeking information about how the proposal could affect taxpayers, local governments, public safety agencies, special districts and the broader economy in Palm Beach County.

The amendment would expand homestead tax exemptions, reduce future growth in some property tax assessments and place new constitutional restrictions on how certain property tax revenues may be used.

The answers to the following questions were provided by Weesam Khoury, Association Vice President of Communications for the Health Care District of Palm Beach County.

If Amendment 3 passes, how much would this affect your budget?

As an independent special taxing district, the Health Care District said it has been monitoring, managing, and preparing for the potential long-term financial impact of property tax reform far before a Joint Resolution was approved by the legislature in June 2026. As part of this heightened fiscal diligence, the District has spent the last several years proactively reducing its reliance on ad valorem revenue while continuing to expand services and remain true to its mission. This deliberate approach has positioned the District to remain financially stable and well-equipped to navigate the potential budgetary impact if Amendment 3 is approved.

What services would be directly affected? 

Through continued fiscal discipline, protection of core services, and careful evaluation of operational efficiencies, the Health Care District will continue to remain financially stable while adapting to a potential reduction in ad-valorem. 

Would taxes or anything else rise? 

The District’s current millage rate is 0.6561 mills — the lowest in the District’s history — and remains the rate approved by the District Board of Commissioners in September. At this time, we do not anticipate increasing our millage rate.

What steps would the district take to cope with Amendment3?

The District is taking a two-pronged approach to protect core services: 

• Increase revenue by optimizing revenue opportunities and payer agreements that support patient care. Examples include enhanced pharmacy revenue opportunities, lean revenue cycle efforts, and activation of the District’s philanthropic arm, Good Health Foundation.
• Reduce expenses by enhancing operational efficiencies and strategically shifting critical health care services from a payer model to a provider model. Examples include the sunset of District Cares in 2025 to bring cost-efficient specialty care in-house, contract renegotiations, and centralization of operations. 

Mike Diamond is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. He covers Palm Beach County government. You can reach him at [email protected]. Help support local journalism. Subscribe today.