Martin County schools asking for tax hikes on both August, November ballots

MARTIN COUNTY — School Board members are swinging for the fences on tax increases.

The board on Tuesday approved asking voters for two tax increases later this year less than three months apart — at the Aug. 28 primary and the Nov. 6 general election. If passed, the new taxes would pay for school operations and for construction.

Voters will be asked in August to increase property taxes to pay teachers more and increase school security during the August primary. In November, they will decide whether to increase the sales tax to bankroll school construction.

The board approved both tax requests 4-1, with Rebecca Negron, who has opposed both taxes since discussions began, voting no in each case.

"I think we've shown the voters we're responsible with their money, and what they've entrusted us to," said board member Michael DiTerlizzi. "I think it's worth asking them (for both tax increases)."

More: Martin County inching toward pitch to raise property taxes for bankrolling school operations

Board members since February have been wrestling with the idea of either a property- or sales-tax hike.

From the outset, Superintendent Laurie Gaylord favored a half-percent sales tax to bring in $16 million a year to build schools. The district has a backlog of construction projects nearing $100 million, school officials say.

Parents from Jensen Beach and Palm City elementaries, the two oldest campuses in the county, have been vocal in their support for such a tax. These parents called for new schools, saying their children have been passed over time and time again for upgrades.

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Most board members, however, supported raising property taxes to boost teacher pay and fund extra security, as mandated by laws passed after the Parkland shooting Feb. 14.

More: Martin County school security improvements estimated to cost $12 million

A half-mill tax would generate about $11.2 million annually for four years, also funding mental-health programs and professional development for educators.

The board the property-tax measure first, but continued discussing how the district could drum up money for construction.

Gaylord pointed out that infrastructure needs would not disappear even if the property- tax increase was passed.

"Sometimes it takes local solutions to find what we need," Gaylord said.

The board agreed, and agreed to place a seven-year, half-percent sales-tax increase on the November ballot. If passed, it would net the district about $112 million — enough to build two schools and tackle the laundry list of construction projects.

It’s been 12 years since any tax referendum has passed in Martin County. In 2006, voters approved a five-year half-percent sales-tax to protect the Indian River Lagoon and St. Lucie River, preserve and restore beaches and improve trails, according to election records.

Voters have rejected two taxes since. Most recently, in 2017, a 1 percent sales-tax increase for 10 years — for water-quality projects and construction of county facilities and roads — was rejected by 63 percent of voters, according to election records. It would have generated about $23 million a year.