An estimate of how Amendment 3's larger homestead exemption could change Okaloosa County government's ad valorem property tax revenue, based on 2026 property values and 2025 tax rates.
Illustrative estimates only. These figures are meant to illustrate how Amendment 3 could affect Okaloosa County government based on current data. They are not official. For official information about the county's budget, tax rates and revenue, contact Okaloosa County government directly. For official property values and exemptions, contact the Okaloosa County Property Appraiser.
This page covers the two operating property taxes Okaloosa County government levies in the 2025 millage table, grouped by where they apply: the countywide levy (3.8308 mills, paid throughout Okaloosa County, inside and outside cities) and the unincorporated area MSTU (0.2880 mills, paid in unincorporated Okaloosa County).
Paid on taxable property throughout Okaloosa County, inside and outside cities. Estimated change by 2028: −$21.4 million (−19.6%). Homestead assessed values rise by up to 3% a year (never above each home's just value); all other property stays at its 2026 taxable value.
| Year | Homestead taxable value | Other taxable value | Total taxable value | Gross levy | Budget basis (95%) | Change from 2026 (95%) | Percent change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $9,577,467,865 | $20,407,652,313 | $29,985,120,178 | $114,866,998 | $109,123,648 | — | — |
| 2027 (estimate) | $5,978,086,546 | $20,407,652,313 | $26,385,738,859 | $101,078,488 | $96,024,564 | −$13,099,084 | −12.0% |
| 2028 (estimate) | $3,706,542,283 | $20,407,652,313 | $24,114,194,596 | $92,376,657 | $87,757,824 | −$21,365,825 | −19.6% |
| Year | Homestead taxable value | Other taxable value | Total taxable value | Gross levy | Budget basis (95%) | Change from 2026 (95%) | Percent change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $9,577,467,865 | $20,407,652,313 | $29,985,120,178 | $114,866,998 | $109,123,648 | — | — |
| 2027 (estimate) | $5,771,189,134 | $20,407,652,313 | $26,178,841,447 | $100,285,906 | $95,271,611 | −$13,852,038 | −12.7% |
| 2028 (estimate) | $3,413,243,929 | $20,407,652,313 | $23,820,896,242 | $91,253,089 | $86,690,435 | −$22,433,214 | −20.6% |
Paid on 63,557 parcels in unincorporated Okaloosa County. Estimated change by 2028: −$935,800 (−25.6%). Homestead assessed values rise by up to 3% a year (never above each home's just value); all other property stays at its 2026 taxable value.
| Year | Homestead taxable value | Other taxable value | Total taxable value | Gross levy | Budget basis (95%) | Change from 2026 (95%) | Percent change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $5,455,886,265 | $7,917,773,988 | $13,373,660,253 | $3,851,614 | $3,659,033 | — | — |
| 2027 (estimate) | $3,383,421,675 | $7,917,773,988 | $11,301,195,663 | $3,254,744 | $3,092,007 | −$567,026 | −15.5% |
| 2028 (estimate) | $2,035,397,366 | $7,917,773,988 | $9,953,171,354 | $2,866,513 | $2,723,188 | −$935,846 | −25.6% |
| Year | Homestead taxable value | Other taxable value | Total taxable value | Gross levy | Budget basis (95%) | Change from 2026 (95%) | Percent change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $5,455,886,265 | $7,917,773,988 | $13,373,660,253 | $3,851,614 | $3,659,033 | — | — |
| 2027 (estimate) | $3,262,771,639 | $7,917,773,988 | $11,180,545,627 | $3,219,997 | $3,058,997 | −$600,036 | −16.4% |
| 2028 (estimate) | $1,865,420,912 | $7,917,773,988 | $9,783,194,900 | $2,817,560 | $2,676,682 | −$982,351 | −26.8% |
As with the cities and towns, the size of the change depends mostly on how much of the taxable value comes from homesteads. Property without a homestead exemption, such as rentals, businesses, second homes and vacant land, keeps its taxable value under the amendment.
Countywide, homesteads make up 31.9% of the taxable value for the countywide levies in 2026. Within the unincorporated area MSTU area, they make up 40.8%, so the estimated percentage change for that levy is larger. Among the nine cities and towns that levy a property tax, the homestead share ranges from 14.5% to 51.2%.
The table below shows where the change in the countywide taxable value comes from. Unincorporated Okaloosa County has 44.6% of the county's taxable value and accounts for an estimated 58.3% of the change. The City of Destin has 30.8% of the county's taxable value and accounts for an estimated 9.1% of the change.
| Area | County taxable value, 2026 | Share of county taxable value | Homestead share of area's taxable value | Change in area's taxable value by 2028 | Share of countywide change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unincorporated Okaloosa County | $13,373,660,253 | 44.6% | 40.8% | −25.6% | 58.3% |
| City of Destin | $9,229,422,946 | 30.8% | 14.5% | −5.8% | 9.1% |
| City of Fort Walton Beach | $2,319,187,222 | 7.7% | 31.8% | −21.8% | 8.6% |
| City of Crestview | $2,086,707,869 | 7.0% | 30.7% | −28.0% | 9.9% |
| City of Niceville | $1,854,499,035 | 6.2% | 51.2% | −28.4% | 9.0% |
| City of Mary Esther | $443,194,042 | 1.5% | 36.2% | −24.7% | 1.9% |
| City of Valparaiso | $431,558,749 | 1.4% | 46.4% | −31.0% | 2.3% |
| Town of Shalimar | $128,464,118 | 0.4% | 47.9% | −27.2% | 0.6% |
| Town of Cinco Bayou | $81,389,851 | 0.3% | 22.7% | −16.1% | 0.2% |
| City of Laurel Hill | $37,036,093 | 0.1% | 31.5% | −28.3% | 0.2% |
Estimates use homestead assessed values rising by up to 3% a year, capped at just value. Areas are based on each parcel's tax district.
Florida counties also receive money from other sources. Depending on the county, these can include state revenue sharing, the local government half-cent sales tax, local option sales and fuel taxes, communications services taxes, non-ad valorem assessments, franchise fees, charges for services, and state and federal grants. The mix differs from county to county. Okaloosa County's adopted budget shows its full set of revenue sources and how much each provides.
The water management district and the School Board levy their own property taxes. They are separate taxing authorities and are not included on this page.
Property values and exemptions: The Okaloosa County Property Appraiser's 2026 final tax roll, as published by the Florida Department of Revenue. Tax rates: the 2025 millage rates the Florida Department of Revenue posts for Okaloosa County (2026 rates by tax district were not readily available). Parcel tax districts: the tax district codes on the same tax roll.
For each homestead, the estimated taxable value is its assessed value minus the new homestead exemption ($150,000 in 2027, $250,000 in 2028) and any other exemptions, but not less than zero. The gross levy is total taxable value times the millage rate, for the parcels where each levy applies. The budget basis is 95% of the gross levy.
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