NORTHWEST TALLAHASSEE, FL \u2014 Leon County school leaders want voters to renew a half-cent sales tax \u2014 which is set to expire in 2027 \u2014 in order to prevent a significant budget shortfall.<\/p>\n
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Leon County school leaders push to renew half-cent sales tax before 2027 expiration<\/p>\n
The Leon County School Board warns, without the half-cent sales tax, the district could face a $620 million funding gap for facility needs.<\/p>\n
The tax currently helps fund school construction, safety upgrades, technology, HVAC systems, roof repairs, and other capital projects across Leon County. District documents show a renewal could generate more than $500 million over 15 years.<\/p>\n
District leaders are seeking voter approval through a future ballot referendum. The proposal comes as district leaders continue discussing other possible funding options to address budget pressures, including a proposed millage rate increase<\/a> on property taxes.<\/p>\n School Board Member Laurie Lawson Cox favors a sales tax extension over a millage rate increase.<\/p>\n “I wish we could do sales tax rather than property tax increase, and I know you talk to the legislature about that…because then everyone gets to contribute,” Cox said.<\/p>\n Parent David West says he supports keeping the sales tax but expressed reservations about the district’s broader budget approach.<\/p>\n “We are the victim of the unintended consequences of poor legislation. We’ve had several problems that are causing part of the problem that Leon County schools have,” West said.<\/p>\n West said he supports the sales tax continuation but opposes overlapping tax structures.<\/p>\n “We’ve had the sales tax. Let’s just keep that going. Let’s keep some stability to this. But at the same time, I do not agree with property taxes at all. I think you should tax one thing. Tax expenditures, tax income, or tax wealth, but don’t tax all three simultaneously overlapping and multiple times,” West said.<\/p>\n If approved for the ballot, voters would have the final say on whether to extend the half-cent sales tax beyond 2027. County leaders will discuss the item at Tuesday’s commission meeting.<\/p>\n This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.<\/p>\n Want to see more local news? Visit the WTXL ABC 27 Website. <\/a>
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