From the Seminole County Chamber of Commerce
In Summary:
The Seminole County Chamber has joined other Central Florida business groups in opposing Amendment 3. Chamber President and CEO Rebekah Arthur said members want tax relief but consider this proposal too abrupt, citing concerns about public services and the local economy. The amendment will be on the November 3 ballot.
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Seminole Chamber in Apopka
The Seminole County Chamber also expanded its reach into the Apopka area by launching the West Seminole Council in February. The council connects businesses along the Semoran Boulevard corridor between downtown Apopka and the State Road 434/436 intersection—an area encompassing more than 20,000 residents and 1,600 businesses, including the Sweetwater, Wekiva, Bear Lake, and Piedmont-Wekiva communities.
Related: Apopka-area businesses gain new resource with launch of West Seminole Council.
The council meets from 11:30 am to 1 pm on the first Monday of each month at the Bahia Shrine, 3101 E. Semoran Blvd. in Apopka, providing local business owners with opportunities to network, share resources, and reach customers throughout western Seminole and eastern Apopka.
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After an intensive review of Amendment 3's potential impacts on the community, the Seminole County Chamber’s board of directors unanimously voted to oppose it.
Related: Florida first responders warn Amendment 3 could slow 911 response.
With this resolution, the Seminole County Chamber joins multiple other business organizations, such as the Orlando Economic Partnership and the Tampa Bay Chamber, in opposing Amendment 3.
“We heard from many members who are significantly concerned about their economic future if this passes,” says Rebekah Arthur, president & CEO, Seminole County Chamber. “While our membership includes many large employers, those with the most concerns were the small businesses and nonprofit organizations that simply could not withstand such a dramatic change in our tax structure.
“Of course, our chamber wants tax relief for our businesses and residents, and we certainly hope the Florida Legislature will revisit this issue carefully and diligently to provide relief,” Arthur added. “This proposal is simply too drastic and too sudden and the effects could seriously hurt Seminole County’s high standards for our quality of life.”
One of the key reasons to oppose are the significant cuts to services that maintain that quality of life. For instance, Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma has stated the amendment could require a 20 percent cut to the Sheriff's Office budget. In addition, there are significant concerns about funding for social services and for economic development efforts.
Those efforts have created high-wage jobs that provide customers to small businesses throughout the county.
“Seminole County has a tremendous record of being a center of technology, particularly fintech, advanced manufacturing, simulation and financial services,” Arthur says. “With costs still rising for businesses throughout the region, now is not the time to stop those very successful efforts.”
The Seminole County Chamber comprises more than 800 member businesses across Central Florida. While local governments are members of the chamber, they provide very little additional funding. All local government board members abstained from the vote.
The Seminole County Chamber ran an online survey of its members and the community. While not a scientific poll, the members who responded overwhelmingly rejected the amendment. In the survey, 91 percent believed it would negatively affect the local economy, and 82 percent opposed the Amendment.
In addition to the resolution, the chamber launched an information site to share details on Amendment 3, including how property taxes are used, arguments from both sides, and other key information.
Finally, the chamber is featuring Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma on the potential effects of Amendment 3 on public safety at Good Morning Seminole on October 1. Register for the event here. The election for Amendment 3 will be held on November 3.
Key Points:
- The chamber’s board voted unanimously to oppose Amendment 3; local government board members abstained.
- Arthur said small businesses and nonprofits raised particular concerns about the proposal.
- Sheriff Dennis Lemma has warned of a potential 20% cut to the Sheriff’s Office budget.
- In a non-scientific chamber survey, 91% of respondents said the amendment would hurt the local economy, and 82% opposed it.
- Voters will decide the amendment Nov. 3.
