- March 8, 2025
This June, residents will be able to vote whether to increase their property taxes, and Flagler County School Board members are trying to explain why they're asking for the increase.
The special election will decide on a proposed 0.5 millage levy, which would continue an existing .25 mill set to expire in June and add ano an additional .25 mill. To the average property owner, the levy would increase property taxes by $1.99 each month.
Aside from the school district’s political action committee, district staff cannot promote an approval of the tax, but they can make sure the community is informed about it, said School Board member Colleen Conklin at a board meeting Tuesday.
Staff members are preparing informational posters and flyers about the proposed tax, including a question-and-answer document that addresses any misconceptions about the tax voters have, Conklin said. All of the members of the School Board agreed Tuesday night to spend time talking to various committees about the proposed tax and its uses.
If approved, the four-year tax will generate an estimated $3.2 million annually. Most of the revenue from the new .25 mill would be used to increase classroom time for middle and high school students by 45 minutes each day.
It will also help fund school safety initiatives, including keeping school resource officers in elementary schools. Board members also hope to increase mental health services in Flagler County schools.
The School Board will soon enter budgeting sessions for the 2013-2014 fiscal year. During that time, the board will seek ways to streamline the district’s budget to further generate funding for these programs.
Early voting
Residents will be able to vote early and by absentee ballot. Last month, Supervisor of Elections Kimberle Weeks said she was reluctant to offer early voting because special elections traditionally have low voter turnout and because there is such a short span of time between the School Board’s decision to hold the election and voting day.
However, officials from both the Flagler County Board of County Commissioners and the School Board said early and absentee voting are imperative.
“Some people may be leaving early for summer vacation,” School Board member Andy Dance said. “We need to make sure they can vote, too.”
The special election will be held June 7.
