Residents weigh in on the budgetary process by attending the School Board’s first budget hearing of the year at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 30 at 1445 Education Way in Port Charlotte.
FILE PHOTO BY MONICA AMAYA
PORT CHARLOTTE — The Charlotte County School Board approved the advertising of next fiscal year’s tentative budget and property tax rates last week, bringing the district one step closer to finishing the annual financial process.
Once officially approved, the new tax rate will go into effect for Charlotte County Public Schools on Oct. 1.
The public will have a chance to speak about both items at a budget hearing later this week before officials adopt the plan in September.
At a regular meeting on July 24, the School Board unanimously approved both budgetary proposals, giving no comments before taking the vote.
The tentative property tax rate of 6.2720 is about a hundredth of a decimal point less than the current year’s, meaning a home with a $300,000 taxable value will save $3 if it’s passed.
The tax rate includes a currently advertised 1.5 mill property tax for several capital outlay projects the school district has scheduled this coming school year.
The capital outlay portion of the property tax rate will generate nearly $55.7 million to be used for:
New construction and remodeling projects countywide, land acquisition and safety/securityNeeds of charter schools, including the purchase of “real property,” property insurance, vehicles, technology and maintenance of facilitiesMaintenance and repairs at traditional public schools, including pavingThe leasing, purchasing or “lease-purchasing” of up to 22 school busesNew technology hardware and operating systems for both administrative and instructional useSalaries and benefits for employees involved in capital outlay projects, plus bonds and debt service
At the same meeting, the School Board also approved next year’s tentative budget, nearly $570 million.
While the district’s total proposed budget is about $15 million more than what it was last year, officials said the proposed operating budget — used for day-to-day spending — is 6.4% less than last year.
As usual, the bulk of spending is slated for instruction at $135.7 million, followed by facilities acquisition and construction at $121.5 million and “central services” at $31.2 million.
Residents interested in sharing their thoughts about the budget or tax rate can do so at Thursday’s budget hearing, scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on July 30 at the Murdock Center Administrative Offices at 1445 Education Way in Port Charlotte.