Cut property taxes, but not mosquito control

As lawmakers prepare for yet another Special Session to address Gov. Ron DeSantis’ priority property tax cuts, the Florida Mosquito Control Association (FMCA) is asking its portion of property tax revenue to be protected.

In a lengthy statement, FMCA President Peter Jiang wrote that he “appreciates Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature’s commitment to exploring meaningful property tax relief for Floridians while maintaining support for essential governmental services.”

But he “respectfully urges” lawmakers to keep mosquito control districts in mind, because they rely heavily on property tax revenue and would likely be unable to bridge the funding gap should that source be eliminated.

Of the state’s 132 independent special districts, which levy property taxes, only 15 are mosquito control districts “created specifically to protect essential public health and infrastructure services,” Jiang wrote.

Jiang estimates about 37-45% of mosquito control district revenue is derived from homesteaded property tax, and he said there is “no alternative funding authority” under the districts’ enabling legislation.

“Unlike many other local entities, independent mosquito control districts were established solely for this purpose and rely heavily on ad valorem funding to carry out critical services including mosquito surveillance, disease prevention, larviciding, aerial treatments, storm response, and protection against mosquito-borne illnesses such as malaria, Zika, West Nile, Chikungunya, dengue, and Eastern equine encephalitis viruses,” Jiang wrote.

“These districts are essential to protecting the health and well‑being of Florida’s residents and visitors, as well as the state’s economy, tourism, agriculture, and overall quality of life.”

The statement points to mosquito control as a core public health service, not just a nuisance reduction program. He said unlike some local governments, mosquito control districts lack the flexibility to “backfill” revenue reductions through alternative funding. That’s because such districts don’t have “alternative statutory revenue mechanisms” to allow them to offset property tax revenue losses.

“For more than 100 years, mosquito control professionals have helped make modern Florida possible. It has often been said that without air conditioning and mosquito control, Florida would not have experienced the extraordinary growth and quality of life residents and visitors enjoy today,” Jiang wrote.

“As policymakers continue evaluating proposals during the special session, FMCA looks forward to working collaboratively with the Governor and Legislature to ensure Florida’s mosquito control districts can continue fulfilling their important mission for generations to come.”

The letter comes as DeSantis has unveiled a plan to “make your homestead property tax free.” The proposed legislation, which Sen. Bryan Ávila is carrying, pitches a phased approach to homestead property tax reductions.

Under the plan, homestead property owners — those who live in their homes full time — would see their homestead exemption increased to $250,000, a number DeSantis said when he unveiled the plan in Tampa Wednesday morning would benefit about 60% of all homestead property owners in Florida.

The homestead exemption allows homeowners to deduct a portion of their primary home’s assessed value from taxation. Currently, the homestead exemption is just $50,000.

DeSantis’ plan calls on the Legislature to create a schedule to increase homestead property taxes over time, eventually reaching $500,000.

While the plan applies to homestead properties, new Floridians would have to pay homestead taxes for five years before realizing the tax savings.

And even still, there’s a high bar for passage — at least 3/5 of both chambers of the Legislature would have to support the plan.

The Special Session is only expected to run June 1-3.