City leaders in Kissimmee are weighing whether to launch a public information campaign to highlight the potential fallout of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ proposal to eliminate property taxes statewide.

Mayor Jackie Espinosa said property taxes are the backbone of the city’s budget, with most of the money going to essential services. In Kissimmee, property taxes flow into the city’s general fund, and about 60% of that fund supports public safety.

“No one wants to pay taxes, and I get that,” Espinosa said. “But before decisions are made, we need residents to understand what would be defunded — including police and EMTs.”

The effort is still in the early stages. Espinosa said there is no formal campaign yet, but city officials are discussing town halls, social media outreach, and other engagement strategies to raise awareness.

“I think it’s important that local government makes its own decisions because we know our residents and their needs,” she said. “Remaining somewhat autonomous ensures we can protect the services our community depends on.”

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