INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Why didn’t the Indian River County School District request a referendum vote for a new 4-year property tax on the November ballot instead of rushing to get it on the August ballot? The County Commission wanted to know.
The Commission was asked to approve the ballot measure by the School District, which is seeking a special tax of 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value that, if approved by voters on Aug. 30, will begin in 2017 and continue for four years. It is intended to replace a 60-cent per $1,000 property tax voters approved in 2012 that expires next year.
The District is asking for a lower-percentage tax because, with higher property values, the new tax will bring in as much or more than the old tax on an annual basis. It is expected to raise about $8 million per year for the district, which will be used for operating expenses.
At the June 7 Commission meeting, Commission Chair Bob Solari asked District Superintendent Dr. Mark Rendell, if the issue were so important to the District, why they waited until only few weeks before the election to make the request, leaving little time to get the word out to the citizenry.
Dr. Rendell spoke of state budget cuts and operating shortfalls that demand the decision “ASAP,” so the District can begin to plan accordingly, to be prepared when the current “essential operating needs .6 millage” expires at the end of fiscal year 2016-17.
If approved, the new millage would cover fiscal year 2017-18 through fiscal year 2020-21.
The Commission also wanted to be sure the District “has the support of the charters,” in view of the contentious relationship between the county’s charter schools and the District in recent months.
The charters filed suit in circuit court in May, alleging the District has not fairly shared revenue from the existing 60 cent tax. The charter schools are seeking $2 million in back tax-share payments along with interest on the money and reimbursement for legal fees.
“We’ve been working with them,” Dr. Rendell said. “They are happy. We have their full support.”
