- November 23, 2024
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Dear Editor:
As the Flagler County property appraiser, I felt that I needed to respond to some of the recent comments regarding the school system’s proposed 0.5 mill vote. These comments lead you to believe that the schools have continually increased our taxes. Based upon factual information, this is simply not true.
Below is chart with comparisons from 2007 and 2012.
| 2007 | 2012 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| School taxes levied | $94 million | $54 million | -$40 million |
| Per student spending | $7,500 | $4,500 | ($3,000) |
| Average tax per home* | $1,089 | $743 | ($346) |
This year, there are going to be fewer students, which means less money from the state regardless of whether they can eliminate a teacher or classroom, indicating a loss of $1.8 million. The 0.25 mill expires, giving a reduction of $1.6 million, and the sequester will reduce the funding by approximately $1.5 million. The total reduction in funding will be $4.9 million. If we as citizens of our county approve the 0.5 mill increase ($3.2 million), the shortage in revenue will be approximately $1.7 million.
This does not indicate that our school system is raising our overall taxes; quite the contrary.
Many of the costly programs such as E-books, FCAT, computers, Race to the Top, class size amendment and special need programs are mandated by the state and federal governments or by us, the voters.
The School Board has cut taxes and done an admirable job with less, as we would expect in these hard times.
Please look at the facts before you vote. I no longer have children in the Flagler County school system, but I will vote yes to fund adequate education for our future generations. Our economic well being depends on it!
James E. Gardner Jr.
Flagler County Property Appraiser
