The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) could lose significant revenue if Amendment 3 passes, Todd Polk of WGI told Okeechobee County Commissioners at their Aug. 13 meeting.

The amendment to increase the homestead exemption would cut SFWMD revenue from property taxes by an estimated $58.5 million in the first year and $139 million in the second year, Polk said.

Meanwhile, the cost of operations, maintenance and construction continue to rise.

The loss of revenue will cause significant reductions in staff and SFWMD will struggle to maintain capital programming, he continued.

Another cause for concern, while the 2026-2027 budget passed by the Florida Legislature includes funding for the state’s portion of the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) and $40 million for the Lower Kissimmee Basin Stormwater Treatment Area, there is no funding in the state budget for operational funding, maintenance, repair, replacement and rehabilitation projects.

“That’s concerning when you don’t have anything for repair of projects with an aging infrastructure,” said Polk.

Successful operation of the EAA Reservoir depends on the completion of other Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) projects.

“While it’s great to have that ‘crown jewel’ reservoir, it’s caused a lot of other projects to be put on hold,” he explained.