District 9 Town Hall on Amendment 3 and Teacher Referendum - 2026-10-20

City Council Representative Tywan Clarkmore of District 9 hosted a town hall on October 20, 2026, focused on educating residents about the upcoming ballot. The primary topics were the statewide Amendment 3 (homestead exemption increase) and the local One-Mill referendum (teacher salaries). Representatives from city departments (Code Enforcement, Parks, Public Works/Mowing) were also available for constituent questions.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Amendment 3 Debate: Multiple residents expressed strong opinions. One resident argued that increasing the homestead exemption "criminalizes homeowners" and advocated for a statewide income tax rather than penalizing property owners, while also criticizing city spending on projects like the Emerald Trail. Another countered that homeowners pass tax burdens onto renters, making it a community-wide issue. A resident in favor of the exemption argued they should have the right to direct their own tax savings rather than fund city "pet projects." A discussion ensued on whether a failure to vote should be counted as approval, referencing the councilmember's past traffic camera legislation. One resident questioned the predetermined nature of the outcome, challenging the councilmember's repeated assertion that the amendment "won't pass."
• One-Mill Referendum Support: Tammy Brooks Evans, President of Duval Teachers United, urged support for the One-Mill referendum. She emphasized it is a continuation of an existing tax, not a new one, arguing a failure would result in a direct pay cut for teachers and support staff. She highlighted that paraprofessionals earn $15.10 per hour, and the average teacher receives approximately $8,600 annually from these funds. She noted the funds also support arts, athletics, and after-school programs.

Discussion Items

• Amendment 3 (State Homestead Exemption): Council Member Clarkmore presented extensively on the financial consequences of Amendment 3, which proposes increasing the homestead exemption from $25,000 to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028. He projected city revenue losses of $84 million in 2027 and over $200 million in 2028. Citing specific statistics (light pole costs of $2k–$9k, 125,000 poles, $1M/month electricity; road resurfacing at $400k per mile), he argued the amendment would force severe cuts to services (streetlights, roads, trash pickup, libraries, parks, senior services, mosquito control, Kids Hope Alliance) or force new taxes and fees (increased gas/sales tax, special assessments). He noted the state mandates 60% voter approval for passage. Council Member Clarkmore explicitly urged residents to vote "No" on Amendment 3, stating "we need it to fail."
• One-Mill Teacher Referendum: Council Member Clarkmore and Ms. Brooks Evans detailed the local referendum. 81% of funds go to Duval County Public Schools, 19% to charter schools. Of the county's share, 12% goes to arts and athletics, with the rest for salaries. Unlike Amendment 3, this requires only a simple majority (50%) to pass. Council Member Clarkmore, a 33-year teaching veteran, strongly advocated for a "Yes" vote to support educators.
• City Services and Funding: A resident questioned the increase in the garbage fee and its connection to a contract with Meridian Waste. Council Member Clarkmore explained the fee increase was a long-overdue correction to stop the city from borrowing from the general fund, a bill co-sponsored with Council Member Matt Carlucci.

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes were taken, as this was an informational town hall.
• Council Member Clarkmore and Ms. Brooks Evans issued a clear directive to attendees: vote 'No' on Amendment 3 and 'Yes' on the One-Mill Referendum.
• City department representatives engaged directly with residents on code enforcement, parks, and public works issues.