School Board prepares to pass lowest taxes ever

By CHARITY TUMBLESON Reporter

The Wakulla County School Board is proposing the lowest tax rate ever.

“This is the lowest taxes in the history of Wakulla County schools,” said Superintendent Bobby Pearce. But he noted that, because of increased local property values, it also amounted to a tax increase. “The school board has no control over tax values.”

At the first budget hearing on Aug,1, the school board proposed a millage rate of 5.5 mills, which is 3.3 mills for Required Local Effort, set by the state, and a 1.5 mill discretionary levy for Capital Outlay. Plus a basic discretionary levy of .74 mills.

A mill is 1/1000 of a dollar, so, for an average $100,000 home without homestead exemption would pay $550 in school taxes. (That doesn’t include other taxing authorities or special assessments.)

This year’s school board taxes are projected to bring in just over $11.4 million. Last year’s property tax levy was $10.1 million.

The school board budget is some $50.5 million this year, an increase of 11.3% over last year. More than half of the budget – about $26.7 million – goes to teacher pay.

The Required Local Effort taxes to receive more than $28.7 million from the state. State revenues to the district increased by 2.3% and makes up 60% of the total budget.

“This year we are proposing to collect almost $1.3 million more in local taxes but the overall millage is decreasing by .321 mills,” said district Chief Financial Officer Randy Beach. “It is interesting that in the late 2000’s we were collecting more in taxes than we are proposing for 2022-23.” The millage rate from the year 2000-01 was 10.1 mills.

The school board imposes a 1.5 mill tax for Capital Outlay projects that qualifies the district for funding for state special funding that has been used to build schools.

The Capital Outlay tax will generate more than $2.9 million and will be used for the construction/remodeling of the War Eagle Academy; maintenance/renovation/repairs; purchase of a school bus; technology equipment; software; Insurance premium on district plant; leasing of portable classrooms, and a loan through Prime Meridian bank for 9 school buses.

The final public hearing date will be Monday, Sept. 12 at 6 p.m.