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Escambia School Board Divided On Potential Property Tax Increase
July 18, 2022
The Escambia County School Board currently stands divided on a potential property tax increase.
The taxable property value in Escambia County is $27.5 billion dollars, according to the district, up $4.3 billion over the current tax year due to increases in real estate values and new construction.
Keeping the 2023 millage rate at 2022’s 1.214 mils would generate $32 million and put over $2 million into reserves. The district has the option of upping the millage rate to 1.5, which would mean $39.6 million in funding.
It’s estimated that the projects that can be funded by the property tax revenue will cost $29.6 million.
But keeping the millage rate the same for the upcoming year would technically be a tax increase. A lower rolled-back rate is the tax rate that would generate the same amount of property tax revenue as approved for the prior year. A millage rate higher than the rolled-back rate is defined by the state of Florida as a tax increase. The district won’t know the rollback rate until later this week.
“You know me. I would go with 1.5 mils if I could, but I know I don’t have any support there,” board member Patty Hightower said. The 1.5 mils rate would be the highest tax increase allowed by law. She said the district needs the revenue after overspending by $3 million last year.
“We’ve got to make sure we have the funds to cover those inflation costs,” Hightower said, citing a 9.1% inflation rate the district faces on purchases.
“People out there are suffering through the same inflation that we’ve got going on,” board chairman Kevin Adams replied. “There is no way that I’m going to support a tax increase on the citizens of Escambia County. It’s not happening with me. Now the rest of my board members, if they want to join that party, it’s up to you.”
Adams said he would support the rolled-back rate and adjust the budget accordingly. He said the citizens of Escambia County will not support a property tax increase, especially after the school district has seen an increase in sales tax revenue and federal dollars.
“I will support the 1.214,” District 5 board member Bill Slayton said, later adding that he would vote for the rate necessary to maintain the same level of funding.
“I am not going to support a tax increase either,” Paul Fetsko said. I agree we’ve got the revenue coming from half cents sales tax.”
Adams, as the chairperson running a recent board workshop meeting, turned to member Dr. Laura Edler and asked for her opinion as the deciding vote.
“I could get sick that day,” Edler quipped.
Pictured top: Escambia County School Board Chairperson Kevin Adams explains that he will not support a tax increase. Pictured inset: Board member Patty Hightower. Images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Comments
33 Responses to “Escambia School Board Divided On Potential Property Tax Increase”
Why must the property owners always bear the tax burden. Do away with the property tact and increase the sales tax and vechicle tax so everyone will share the tax burden along with the out of staters and tourist who come to Florida pay for the cost.
@Mike. Socio-economic factors have a huge impact on individual schools. The teachers are only part of educating kids. They can pick up a lot of slack, but are NO replacement for parenting and basic resources. What happens in the years BEFORE children start school is critical. Sadly, for some families, the most important function of school is feeding their children.
The schools should get a fixed percentage (millage). If home values go up, they get more money. If home values go down, they get less money. If the schools provided a valuable product, people would be pleased to provide an increase, but to demand an increase even though you provide a poor service is criminal and shameful. Maybe a performance based system would be tolerated where providing wonderful schools would result in a windfall. At the same time, if you provide awful schools, you owe us money back! It is high time for voucher systems where I choose where to send my child to school. I shouldn’t be required to pay for my child’s good education while also paying you to provide a poor one. If the school system really believed they provided a good product, they would be the most vocal for the system of choice.
It’s pretty simple; government NEVER has enough money.
The voters were sold on the idea of a state lottery because it would add millions to education. Years later that’s not enough.
The voters were sold on the idea of Local Option Sales Tax (how about the irony of that acronym for government spending?) and again, not enough.
There’s so much duplication in the “education system” and nobody seems to want to eliminate that. Regardless of whether it’s at the local, state or federal level.
I appreciate the people working hard to do the right things and, on this; thanks Mr. Slayton for wanting to hold the line.
We have a generally good community and our schools, though not perfect, are pretty good. We have a lot of good teachers and staff who work through some very difficult challenges. Thanks to all who do. But Board Members and Superintendent; please rise up, weed out wasteful spending and duplication of responsibilities; make the well-paid administrators earn that pay like the rest of us.
Seems with the POOR school grades reported not long ago they’d consentrate on that rather than jumping on higher taxes!
Dr. Elder – make a stand for what you believe is right. It’s not funny to abstain from a vote on this issue because it’s a tough choice. I may not agree with an increase in the property tax like Mrs. Hightower suggested but at least she is standing for something.
I have school age kids and don’t send them to public school because of the horrible standards the local schools have. I don’t want to send more money to a system that doesn’t seem to be getting better, instead standards just go lower each year. The schools need to work within their budget just like all the residents have to. Priorities and be efficient!
This is the problem” district needs the revenue after overspending by $3 million last year”. We as taxpayers constantly pay. What about Alabama residents sending their children to Florida schools? Never see this in the budget as income? Free meals – it’s parents responsibility not taxpayers that have no children or grand children going to school. What if all taxpayers stick together and refuse to pay the 1.5 mils rate?
as my parents would say there is a need and there is a want ? so my question is do we need it or just want it.? I grew up in pensacola where dirt roads were every where just as mom and pop stores the area was almost care free we played and had fun. now chain stores have put mom and pop stores to closing we were warned . take a look around us ( really ) tax this and tax that it is plum crazy . so many things money is being spent on that we don’t need. hurricanes are comming stop the spending at all cost cut the budget in every dept. and work harder 7am to 7pm until the job is done.
Roll the milage back and live within your means like the rest of us. We don’t get to raise our paycheck.
Bill Slayton is the only one I get to vote on, but I will remember his vote next election.
To the School Board, deal with the 9.1% inflationary increase without increasing taxes. I have to deal with it on a daily basis with no increase of my income, so should the School Board.
Maybe more outrage should be directed at our state government for their wasteful spending on problems that don’t exist. Where are all these K-3 students being taught ANYTHING about sex? What schools are teaching ANYTHING, at any level, other than the established curriculum? Where is that happening? And I don’t mean one story that’s become some urban legend. Where are students being made to feel “guilty” because they learned that some people were treated badly by other people? Who didn’t learn that in school? Are we all feeling guilty? I’m interested to know the cost for having all those texts inspected and reissued. That’s taxpayer money being used for made up issues, when our schools are facing real ones.
Instead of raising taxes, why not ask the Florida Lotto for an increase or advancement?
In response to SMH: There are just as many kids crossing that line going the other way to the schools in Flomaton. If you dont believe me go ask the admin at Northview how many kids from Century are going to FHS which is miles closer to their house than Northview.
“So 27.5 Billion isnt enough for you to run the district? ”
Read it again. The taxable value of property is $27.5 billion, and the district gets tax on that.
It’s like taking an item with a $100 price tag to the cash register at the store. It has a taxable value of $100, and the tax is $7.50.
So 27.5 Billion isnt enough for you to run the district? What about all the money the federal govt give the school board outside of taxes? I think we need to take another look at how our system is ran and hold some accountabilitiy.
There’s not a chance I’d support a take rate hike. I am *OK* with the millage rate staying what it is now, which with housing and property prices skyrocketing it should adjust for greater-than-inflation returns. I don’t see why they would want to increase the rate to 1.5. I’ve met Mrs. Hightower numerous times and respect her utmost ability to manage children, but disagree with her about the tax issue.
People well off dont mind if taxes are raised, just like those well off dont care what the price of fuel is.
It really is out of touch those making the rules of suggestions
FIRST STOP FREE MEALS!!! IT’S NOT FREE TAX PAYERS ARE PAYING FOR IT. BETWEEN FOOD STAMPS, FOOD GIVE AWAYS, AND OTHER FOOD ASSISTANCE WHY DO THEY NEED ALL OF THESE FREE MEALS. IT’S THE PARENTS DUTY TO THEIR CHILDREN TO SUPPORT, LOVE, FEED, CLOTHES THEM. LIKE MY PARENTS DID FOR ME, AND I DID FOR MY KIDS.
SELL OFF ALL OF THE OLD SCHOOLS AND ABANDONED BUILDINGS. THE SCHOOL BOARD WASTE A LOT OF MONEY. I HAVE TO LIVE ON A BUDGET SO SHOULD YOU.
Why do the Escambia County (Florida) School Board allow so many children from Alabama to attend school in Florida? And it’s a pretty good number especially at Northview. Do they have some sort of agreement on this or are these Alabama children just getting their education at Florida taxpayers expense? These families live in Alabama they are not paying taxes that help support the schools in Florida. This is a disservice to Florida ‘s children because not only are their children receiving a tax free education but these children get scholarships and other services and opportunities that would otherwise go to Florida’s children who rightfully deserve them. I know this has been going on for years but as a taxpayer, I just don’t feel like this is right, I thought you weren’t allowed to do this. I really would like to know what the School Board has to say about it.
Civil Service employees do NOT have a RIGHT to the job they have–if they are not working and earning their pay check. That’s what’s wrong with the Hall Center. Stepping off soapbox.
In the middle of this inflationary cycle does it makes sense to ask for MORE taxes especially for citizens that have no children in the school system. Sell that and explain why it is a solid financial increase. Maybe it’s the school district that needs to be taught a lesson in budget management.
I for one do not support a rise in the rates. School Board needs to look inside itself to find ways to tighten the spending belt just as all the taxpayers are doing. R/
Stop overspending. People in Escambia county are going through hard times. High price of gas, food, water, electric etc. eliminate some of the giant beaurocracy within all the schools. School board members need to think about todays reality for all tax payers, do more with less. We tax payers want you to measure expenses we have not giving you a blank check.
Take note of the ones that are for a tax increase and VOTE THEM OUT!
The following is the special meeting schedule for School Board Members. County residents who are opposed to this outrageous property tax increase need to show up and let the board members know how we feel about the increase. Mrs. Hightower insists that we need to raise property taxes due to a 9.1% inflation rate. She doesn’t stop to think how the inflation rate impacts county residents (ESPECIALLY Senior Citizens who are on a fixed income) and others who have a low income and can barely pay their bills. This has to STOP!!! I personally stand with Kevin Adams comment.
https://go.boarddocs.com/fl/escambia/Board.nsf/vpublic?open
“You know me. I would go with 1.5 mils if I could, but I know I don’t have any support there,” board member Patty Hightower said.
“We’ve got to make sure we have the funds to cover those inflation costs,” Hightower said, citing a 9.1% inflation rate the district faces on purchases.
Hightower NEEDS TO GO. First off, saying she would vote for the highest rate allowed is the main reason she needs to go. Quoting a US wide inflation rate of 9.1% is lazy. She is a board member with access to the actual numbers. Give voters actual examples of the cost increases they are seeing.
What Jason and the others said. JUST STOP. Do not spend it just because you have it. SAVE IT.
This property owner votes No.
Cut spending.
Don’t raise taxes.
If they can’t/won’t-we need to vote then out.
Maybe we just need to vote them out, anyway. Maybe they’ve forgotten that can happen.
The problem is these house prices are receding but the tax dollars charged won’t, they have no mercy on the people that can barely afford a home today.
how much for CRT films . Fire the board and superintendent !
Capital outlay expenses should be paid for with L.O.S.T (local option sales tax) dollars. The School Board needs to be finding ways to reduce cost and living within the current budget and allowing the “new growth” within the county to cover their “inflation” costs. This taxpayer believes they should be seeking to roll back the current 1.214 rate to something under 1.2 mills and give us taxpayers a slight break.
It wouldnt hurt for the School Board to actually put some of the LOST revenue in reserves for unexpected purchases versus trying to see if they can spend every penny the tax generates each year. But then again, I understand its hard for some people to live within a budget when its FREE MONEY coming from the wallet of others.
Well they could eliminate some of that overspent 3 million by cleaning out half the people that do not do anything at the Hall Center.