Sumter plan would tie home tax exemptions to sales tax proceeds

The plan would give eligible residents an exemption from Sumter County property taxes, with its amount determined each year using local sales tax proceeds. It would cover residents with homestead property in the Sumter County special district, and apply only to county property taxes on property within that district. Other homestead exemptions would remain available. The plan would take effect only if at least two-thirds of each legislative chamber and more than half of county voters voting on it approve. A resident would generally need to apply. A person already receiving a county homestead exemption for the same home in the prior tax year and still eligible would not need to apply again; the exemption would renew while the person lives there and remains eligible. If approved, the exemption would apply from January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2039. The sales tax would run from January 1, 2028, through December 31, 2037.