JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Civic Council is urging Duval County voters to renew a property tax that funds teacher pay, saying the money helps the school district attract and retain educators.
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The council urged voters to vote “yes” on the county referendum to extend the one-mill tax, which voters first approved in 2022. The tax is not new; the November vote will decide whether to continue it for another four years.
Since the levy took effect, Duval County Public Schools has used the funding to offer more competitive teacher salaries, the council said. It said the funding has helped fill classroom vacancies and retain qualified educators.
If voters reject the renewal, teacher pay would decrease by an average of $8,500 a year, according to the council. The district has said the tax provides teachers with an $8,600 annual bonus.
The council also pointed to the district’s two consecutive A ratings from the state and rising graduation rates. It warned that losing the funding could put Duval at risk of losing teachers to other districts.
“A world-class city requires a world-class education system,” the council said in its statement, adding that strong schools help make Jacksonville a place where families want to live and thrive.
The council also urged voters to reject Amendment 3, which would increase the homestead exemption.
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