Martin County property-tax hike would bring in $44.8 million annually for schools over four years

MARTIN COUNTY — A property-tax increase being eyed by the school district would generate $11.2 million annually over the next four years.

But the step toward a tax increase, approved 4-1 Tuesday by the School Board, essentially is a placeholder, and could change before it appears on the ballot later this year.

Board member Rebecca Negron cast the lone no vote.

The board wrestled with proposing either a sales-tax increase or property-tax hike to fund construction projects and give teachers raises.

Motions for each approach failed before the board voted to move on, at least in theory, with raising property taxes by a 0.5 mill.

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For her part, Superintendent Laurie Gaylod recommended asking voters to raise the countywide sale tax by a half-percent, which would raise $16 million a year for at least 10 years. That money could be used only for capital projects such as construction and purchasing buses.

Spreading the tax increase among all who purchase goods in Martin County may increase the odds of its passing, according to Gaylord.

"I do not think there is favor among the property owners of the county to have that burden placed solely on them," Gaylord said.

The School Board, though, wants any new revenue available for other needs as well, including teacher bonuses. A property-tax increase would allow that; a sales-tax increase would not.

The board previously discussed giving teachers raises from a two-year property-tax increase, but on Tuesday they agreed it would be unfeasible to pay such a recurring expense through a tax voters might not continue in the future.

The district must find a way to compensate teachers through whichever tax increase eventually is put on the ballot, said board member Marsha Powers.

"I want to have nice buildings ... but if we don't have teachers to stand in front of those students, what good does it do?" Powers asked.

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Property-tax increases are supposed to last only up to two years, but, officials said, increases strictly for operations run up to four years. If the district seeks a half-mill property-tax increase for operations, as proposed Tuesday, it would free up about $3.5 million each year that could be used on capital projects, said Helene DiBartolomeo, finance director.

Although $3.5 million is only a fraction of the capital funding a sales-tax increase would cover, some board members said that funding is enough.

"When we talk about solely funding capital needs, we are not meeting the needs of the students," said board member Tina McSoley. "And that's my primary concern."

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While four board members have expressed their desire for a referendum to increase taxes one way or another, Negron has staunchly opposed. Negron said would oppose any tax increase until the district further examines how to tighten its budget.

The board is expected to continue discussing proposed tax increases at meetings in April. Then it would decide what question to put before voters and when to ask— the Aug. 28 primary or the Nov. 6 general election.