More Amemndment 3 Info, where IRNA Members Stand, and more
October 10, 2026 Weekly Newsletter
TCPalm's editorial board is recommending a no vote on Amendment 3, the property tax measure on the Nov. 3 ballot.
Their biggest objection is local control. Right now, if you think your city or county is taxing too much (or cutting the wrong things), you can show up at a commission meeting or vote people out. Amendment 3 would move that power to Tallahassee. Senate President Ben Albritton has said it sets up a framework for “total elimination” of property taxes, under a procedure the Legislature would write. The board also pointed out that the proposal was rushed through a two-day special session in June.
Here's what they were looking at:
Local services. If Amendment 3 passes, local property taxes could fund only a short list of things: public safety, infrastructure, stormwater and flood control, debt, pensions, and basic government operations. Parks, libraries, beaches, and children’s and elder services wouldn’t automatically go away, but they’d have to compete for whatever other revenue is left. And with less money overall, even the services on the list would likely be stretched thinner. Nearly everything local government does would feel it.
Water quality. Conservationist Eric Draper estimates the South Florida and St. Johns water management districts would lose a combined $143 million a year by 2030. That money pays for Indian River Lagoon and St. Lucie River restoration. Martin County alone expects to lose $42.5 million in the first year, which also shrinks the local match it needs to win state and federal environmental grants. More here.
Renters. Local governments would likely make up the gap with higher millage rates or new fees, and landlords would pass those costs on. An analysis for the Florida Housing Coalition projects taxes on apartment units rising almost 15% by 2028. Even Republican Sen. Kathleen Passidomo, who voted to put it on the ballot, says it benefits only a slice of Floridians while straining local governments.
Amendment 3 needs 60% to pass. IRNA encourages voters to read up on it before November 3.
PFAS Well Water Testing
IRNA is offering free, certified lab testing for PFAS ("forever chemicals") in private drinking water wells. Sign up, submit your water sample, and get your results, plus learn what they mean for your health.
We are especially searching for wells at or near Blue Cypress Lake, Fellsmere, Gifford, and Wabasso. There are only a few tests left! Reach out today!
Open to Indian River County home and business owners on private wells only (not connected to municipal water). Questions? Contact Missy@IndianRiverNA.com
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Our Amendment 3 straw poll is in, and IRNA newsletter readers aren't sold on it.
We asked our readers:
"Amendment 3 would raise the homestead exemption to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028 (all property taxes except school taxes), lower the assessment cap on non-homestead property from 10% to 5%, and restrict what counties and cities can spend property tax revenue on. How would you vote if the election were held today?"
Nearly 70% said they'd vote no, about 22% said yes, and the rest are undecided.
What stood out is who was answering. 92% of respondents are homeowners with a homestead exemption, the group that stands to see the biggest tax cut. Most of them said no anyway.
This was an informal poll of our newsletter readers, not a scientific survey, but it's a good snapshot of where our community stands. Thanks to everyone who weighed in!
Treasure Coast counties have banner loggerhead sea turtle nesting season (TC Palm) - Florida's Treasure Coast recorded a substantial rise in loggerhead sea turtle nests in 2026, contributing to a multi-decade upward nesting trend attributed to long-term coastal conservation and protection efforts.
Sebastian, Indian River don't need to grow. Plans move fast | Opinion (TC Palm) - Laurence Reisman argues that local leaders in Indian River County and Sebastian should proceed with caution and prioritize cohesive, high-quality community design rather than rushing to expand urban development into rural lands without proven need.
Florida I-95 interchange project at Oslo Road opens in 2026 ceremony (TC Palm) - Indian River County opened its first new Interstate 95 interchange in 50 years at Oslo Road in Vero Beach, finishing the project 400 days ahead of schedule to alleviate traffic congestion, shorten emergency response times, and accommodate anticipated regional growth.
Group wants to bring a third hospital to this Florida county (TC Palm) - An investment group representing property owners near State Road 60 and 66th Avenue plans to seek an exemption from Indian River County's three-story building height limit to facilitate the construction of a proposed five-story, full-service hospital across from the Indian River Mall.
Vero Beach doubles most parking fines, first hike since 2011 (Sebastian Daily) - Vero Beach has enacted its first parking fine increase since 2011, doubling the cost of most violations to encourage space turnover and improve compliance while keeping general parking free.
Early voting in Indian River County starts Monday, Oct. 19
Early voting for the Nov. 3 general election runs Oct. 19 through Oct. 31. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, and on Thursdays (Oct. 22 and 29) the sites stay open until 6 p.m. You can vote at any of the four locations, no matter where you live in the county:
Sebastian City Hall Council Chambers, 1225 Main Street, Sebastian
Indian River County Main Library, 1600 21st Street, Vero Beach
Supervisor of Elections Office, 4375 43rd Avenue, Vero Beach
Intergenerational Recreation Center (Room 112), 1590 9th Street SW, Vero Beach
Bring a photo ID with your signature (a Florida driver's license works). If you're voting by mail, the deadline to request a ballot is Thursday, Oct. 22 at 5 p.m. Completed ballots must be received by 7 p.m. on Election Day, and you can drop yours off at any early voting site during voting hours or at the Elections Office.
Before you go, see where the Vero Beach and Sebastian city council candidates stand on water and land use. IRNA, Pelican Island Audubon Society, and the Clean Water Coalition asked every candidate the same questions, and ten answered.
More info on voting at voteindianriver.gov or (772) 226-4700.
October 2026 Peligram (Pelican Island Audubon Society) - Pelican Island Audubon Society highlights local conservation initiatives, upcoming community field trips and classes, native plant advocacy, and concerns regarding how Florida's proposed Amendment 3 could diminish municipal funding for environmental programs and nonprofits.
SRA GoLine named nation’s Outstanding Public Transportation System (Indian River Guardian) - Senior Resource Association's Indian River Transit GoLine earned the 2026 Outstanding Public Transportation System Award from the American Public Transportation Association for small-system excellence in safety, low-cost operations, and community service across its fare-free bus network.
Five Sebastian council candidates face voters on growth, taxes and the lagoon (Sebastian Daily) - Five candidates for two at-large Sebastian City Council seats debated growth, annexation, the city budget, the Indian River Lagoon, and Amendment 3 at a recent public forum ahead of the Nov. 3 election.
Humiston project $460K short due to ‘hidden’ costs (Vero News) - Vero Beach faces a $460,000 funding deficit for the Humiston Beach boardwalk reconstruction due to unbudgeted demolition, engineering, and contingency costs, prompting an expanded local fundraising campaign ahead of the November construction start date.
US households pay 62% more for water than they did a decade ago, study finds (The Guardian) - Drinking water costs for United States households rose by 62 percent over the past decade, outpacing both general inflation and household income growth, with privately owned utility systems charging significantly higher rates than publicly owned alternatives.
Expert Urges Water Utilities to Focus on Cybersecurity Basics (GovTech) - Water and wastewater utilities must strengthen their defenses against an expanding cybercriminal marketplace by empowering security leadership, balancing cybersecurity funding with physical security, and enforcing core technical safeguards such as network segmentation and multifactor authentication.
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