It's a local services issue, which includes libraries. Before you vote, understand what is at stake for the Nassau County library system if this amendment passes: 

• Decreased library hours and branch closures: 
• Yulee branch is now open only 3 days a week, down from 5 days
  
  
• Effective October 1, Fernandina Beach library will no longer be open on Saturdays
   
• Bryceville branch library will close October 29
• Reduced access to books, technology, programs:
• Nassau county families depend on libraries for storytime, summer reading, homework help, books, Wi-Fi and safe places to learn.
  
  
• Seniors, students, job seekers, parents, readers and small businesses all use libraries for research, meetings, computers and book clubs.
• Amendment 3 would not only impact our local libraries but would also mean:
• Local governments would have less revenue for local services - parks, cultural programs, public safety, fire and police response, roads maintenance, and animal services as well as libraries.

Facts

Property taxes are how communities fund the services people depend on - law enforcement, fire and EMS, road repair, stormwater and parks. Property taxes are raised locally and stay local. 97.6% of Nassau libraries budget comes from property taxes.

Property taxes are based on the homeowner's property taxable value and the millage rates then city, county, school board and certain special districts set their own rates each year in hearings open to the public.

Property taxes are one of Florida’s most stable sources of funding. Unlike sales taxes or taxes on tourists, they don’t fluctuate as much during economic downturns. Cities and counties rely on them for everyday services like infrastructure, libraries, parks, and public safety, as well as long‑term planning.

Local governments in Florida can’t simply use other taxes, such as gas or cigarette taxes, to fill gaps in their general funds because state law tightly restricts how those revenues may be used.

Many of these taxes are legally required to pay for specific things, such as road work or transportation projects, and cannot be redirected to libraries, police, parks, drainage, or other day‑to‑day city services. As a result, cities rely heavily on property taxes because they are among the few flexible funding sources permitted under Florida law.

Misconception

“Property taxes are like paying rent to the government. Once you own your home, you shouldn't have to keep paying for it.”

Paying off a mortgage ends your obligation to a private lender. It has nothing to do with the ongoing local services every homeowner relies on - calling 911 for a burglary, heart attack or a house on fire; depending on the infrastructure that delivers your water and power; using neighborhood parks and libraries. Property taxes fund the services that bring added value to homes and make communities desirable places to live. 

Myth

"We're in an affordability crisis and this proposal offers relief relief."

Floridians are squeezed - at the gas pump, the grocery store and in the housing market.  That pressure is real but cutting property taxes does not eliminate the cost of the police, fire, water or roads. It shifts that cost to higher fees, sales taxes and special assessments that every Floridian - renters and homeowners alike - will feel.  A tax cut that quietly becomes a fee hike is not a relief.

These information sites can provide factual, non-partisan information based reported statistics:

Florida Association of Counties 
fl-counties.com  

Florida League of Cities                             flcities.com                    

Florida TaxWatch                                        floridataxwatch.org         

Keep Libraries Funded                                keeplibrariesfunded.org

League of Women Voters
lwvfl.org

Florida Policy Institute                                 floridapolicy.org

Associations and Organizations opposing Amendment 3:

Florida Sheriffs Assoc                                 flsheriffs.org

Florida State Fraternal Order of Police       fop.net

Florida Professional Firefighters                 fpfp.org       

Florida Library Assoc                                   flalib.org     

League of Women Voters                            lwvfl.org      

1000 Friends of Florida Florida            1000fof.org

 

Local action is powerful because libraries are local services.

You can help in your community by:

• Writing a letter to the editor
   
• Speak up at a city or county commission meeting by sharing one library service that matters in your community
  
  
• Post on social media why your library matters to you
  
  
• Remind people about voter registration, early voting, and Election Day
  
  
• Make a plan to vote

Share Your Library Story on social media and as a letter to the editor:

• Personal stories help voters understand what is really at stake. Use this simple format:
• I use my library for: [books, storytime, computers, Wi-Fi, meeting rooms, job help, research, children’s programs, senior services, or another service]
  
  
• My community depends on the library because: [explain what the library makes possible]
  
  
• I am voting No on Amendment 3 because: [it could put local library services at risk]
  
  
• Here is an example: I use my library for books, public Wi-Fi, and children’s programs. My community depends on the library because it gives families a free and welcoming place to learn, connect, and get help. I am voting No on Amendment 3 because library services depend on stable local funding.

Newspapers and local commissioners contact information:

Fernandina Beach News-Leader              amulligan@newsleader.com

Fernandina Observer                                  fernandinaobserver.org

Nassau County

John Martin                                                 jmartin@nassaucountyfl.com

Hup Huppman                                             ahuppman@nassaucountyfl.com

Jeff Gray                                                      jgray@nassaucountyfl.com

Alyson McCullough                                     amccullough@nassaucountyfl.com

Klynt Farmer                                                kfarmer@nassaucountyfl.com

Taco Pope, county manager                     tpope@nassaucountyfl.com

Fernandina Beach

Joyce Tuten
jtuten@fbfl.org

Tim Poynter                                                 tpoynter@fbfl.org

Genece Menshew                                       gmenshew@fbfl.org

Darron Ayscue                                             dayscue@fbfl.org

Sarah Campbell, city manager                  scampbell@fbfl.org