In her last City Commission meeting as mayor of Hawthorne on Tuesday, Jacquelyn Randall awarded numerous keys to the city and approved a letter to state representatives opposing recently approved legislation eliminating property taxes.  

“I am honored to write in strong opposition to SJR 2-F and SB 4-F,” Randall started the letter dated June 2 and addressed to state Sen. Stan McClain and state Rep. Yvonne Hayes Hinson. 

“Property taxes fund the services that keep communities safe and functional,” Randall wrote. “Property taxes fund core public safety and infrastructure, including police, fire, emergency response, and roads. These services make communities safe, insurable, and economically viable.” 

Also on Tuesday, the Florida Legislature approved a proposal to raise homestead exemptions from $50,000 to $250,000. 

If approved by 60% of voters in November, Mainstreet Daily News reported the bill could cost Alachua County and its municipalities a combined $68 million estimated revenue loss, and almost $10 billion of taxable value loss. 

Randall said during the meeting she still wanted to send the letter to get Hawthorne’s position on the record. 

“[The state has] approved to eliminate those property taxes without giving any kind of feedback or discussion on how we mitigate the lost revenue and funds here at the city,” Randall said. “So for us, taking a position of opposition would just be safeguarding the revenue streams that we get from property taxes currently.” 

The mayor’s letter said smaller communities will face the steepest impact of losing property taxes. She said an independent study modeling a $250,000 homestead exemption revealed some cities would struggle to maintain current levels of essential services. 

Using 2025 taxable property values for $150,000 and $250,000 exemption amounts, Randall said 356 Hawthorne properties would have a potential shortfall of more than $250,000. 

“Eliminating property taxes in the city will have an unparalleled amount of harm to the citizens and will have a direct impact to city services,” Randall wrote. 

The mayor distributed four keys to the city during Tuesday’s meeting to individuals with valuable contributions.  

The keys went to Alachua County Sheriff’s Office Officer Peter King for safety patrols at Chester Shell Elementary, Greg Galpin and Weyerhaeuser, Frog Song Organics for partnering with Alachua County to distribute food during the government shutdown, and to City Clerk LaKesha McGruder, who’s been with the city for 26 years. 

“I’m very shocked. I did not expect this, but I’m very grateful,” McGruder said. “You guys are stuck with me for a while, so thank you.” 

City staff and commissioners also thanked Randall for her service to the city as she steps down to campaign for the Florida House District 21 seat in August to potentially replace Hinson. 

Commissioner Tommie Howard said he was proud of what the city had been able to accomplish under Randall’s leadership. Vice Mayor Patricia Bouie-Hutchinson said Randall always worked for unity over her own agenda and was upfront with love. 

“I know it was all of us together, but I thank God for you being a great leader,” Bouie-Hutchinson said. “Thank you. God bless.” 

Randall said she was speechless, overwhelmed and emotional, just like when she first came to the commission. She thanked the city and said she’ll give more remarks at the June 16 meeting. 

“I went unopposed every year that I ran for this council. I am grateful for that. I don’t overlook that,” Randall said. “You stuck it out with me, and I promise I’m gonna stick it out with Hawthorne to the very end.” 

Editor’s note: This story was underwritten by a grant from the Rural Reporting Initiative at the Community Foundation of North Central Florida.