School Board Signs off on Tax Hike

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- With little discussion, the Duval County School Board has signed off on increasing property taxes by a quarter mill.

Only one concerned taxpayer spoke at the meeting. Joe Braun voiced his opinion against an increase, saying, "We need a tax cut."

School Board member Stan Jordan cast the only dissenting vote, with six other members voting for the tentative tax increase.

"We really don't need to have this increase for a successful year," said Jordan, who promised that he will ask the Board on September 10 to reconsider the tax hike.

September 10 is the date the Board's budget is adopted and the millage rate is finalized.

The School Board is hardly alone in considering a property tax increase.

The Jacksonville City Council is considering the same thing at its meeting Tuesday night to make up an estimated $50 million budget gap.

Homeowner Bradford Dewey lives on a fixed income. He says he can't support higher taxes.

"A lot of people are out of work anyway, ok. How are they going to support that?" wonders Dewey, who lives in the St. Nicholas community.

Tammy Calhon, the mother of two children with disabilities, is no fan of higher taxes either. Calhon says she does support raising more money for education.

"I feel the schools need more help with money," she said.

The school board is eyeing a quarter mill increase that would cost the average homeowner $29 a year. The hike would generate another $14 million for education.

The city council must decided whether to support Mayor John Peyton's proposal to increase property taxes by 1.02 mills. The increase, if approved, would cost the average homeowner $97 and generate more than $50 million for the city.

Peyton is campaigning for the first property tax increase in 17 years, saying he sees no option other than to cut city services.

School leaders who fear more cuts from the state argue the quarter mill increase would provide a cushion for the future.

The City Council meeting began at 5 p.m. Tuesday.

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