Flagler County Sheriff assess cuts after passing Amendment 3

Just one week after voters approved a historic property tax cut here in Florida, local law enforcement is now reviewing how they're going to react. Flagler County Sheriff says nothing is off the table once Amendment 3 becomes law. Fox 35's Chris Lindsay explains. Fewer deputies, older patrol cars and potentially longer waits for law enforcement services. That's the reality Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staley says his agency could be facing following the passage of Amendment 3. Nothing is off the table. We're looking at everything. More than 60% of people across Florida voted for the amendment because it gives homeowners more relief on their property taxes. The elimination of property taxes would alleviate the stresses financially for a lot of people and especially in a high inflation environment that does not seem to be. Diminishing anytime soon. But it also means less money for local governments. For instance, the Flagler Sheriff's Office says the county could lose roughly a quarter of their property tax revenue next year. And if funding is reduced at the same rate for their department, they take a $15.6 million hit to their $66.8 million budget. Thank you. Staley says his hands are tied until the details are worked out. All vacant positions are frozen. There's no new hiring. In fact just yesterday I believe we had to revoke a conditional offer. Among the possibilities having reports taken over the phone instead of a deputy responding in person or even delaying certain criminal investigations until the next day or after the weekend. Is that the level of service that I personally want to provide this community? No. But is it something that we have to look at for now? Nothing is set in stone as local leaders still have to crunch the numbers. Nonetheless, Staley says difficult decisions are ahead. Reporting in Flagler County, Chris Lindsay, Fox 35 News.