The council called the property-tax amendment's passage "stunning" and agreed to push back against a hasty special session in Tallahassee while the town's capital program waits.
JUPITER — The Jupiter Town Council spent much of its closing discussion Thursday, Nov. 5, on Amendment 3, the property-tax reform amendment that passed with 62 percent statewide and 60-40 in Palm Beach County — and on what it means for the town's budget.
Mayor Jim Kuretski called the result "stunning" and asked Town Manager Frank Kitzerow for a list of general-fund capital projects planned to go out to bid, so staff does not waste work on projects that may not proceed. Capital improvement projects are already on hold until they are brought back to the council.
Councilor Malise Sundstrom reported the governor is prepared to call a special session, likely in late November or early December, and the council reached consensus to push back through its lobbyists and legislative delegation against a hasty session: the League of Cities' position, which the council already supports, is to wait for the budget tax reform commission.
Kuretski noted Amendment 3 allows the complete elimination of property taxes and said he hopes that is not on the table.
The discussion came at the council's regular meeting Nov. 5, which ran from 7 p.m. to 8:24 p.m. in the Town Hall Council Chambers. Every vote on the night went 5-0.
What happens next
The council faces a possible special session in Tallahassee in late November or early December, with the town's capital program on hold in the meantime.
