News Summary
Leon County Schools is holding a public hearing regarding a proposed tax increase to address a $17 million budget gap. The deficit arises from the end of federal COVID-19 relief funds, sparking concerns about possible school closures. Despite a potential property tax rate decrease, the district anticipates collecting $156 million due to rising property values, but faces challenges, including a significant contract increase with local agencies. Community discussions around education funding are critical as the district navigates financial pressures.
Leon County, Florida – Leon County Schools is set to hold a public hearing on July 29 regarding a proposed tax increase to address a looming financial crisis due to a significant budget decrease. The school district is facing a budget gap of $17 million for the upcoming fiscal year, despite receiving an additional $10 million in property tax revenue.
Superintendent Rocky Hanna has highlighted that the budget deficit stems from the expiration of federal COVID-19 relief funds and frozen federal money. The projected budget for the 2025-2026 academic year stands at $649 million, a notable decline from approximately $666 million in previous years. Hanna has raised concerns about the possibility of school closures if the funding situation does not improve.
The first public hearing on the tentative budget is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Aquillina Howell Center. During this meeting, the school board will discuss the proposed decrease in the current property tax rate from 5.384 to 5.366. This decrease translates to an estimated payment of about $402 for every $100,000 of property value. Notably, despite the reduction in the tax rate, the district expects to collect around $156 million due to an increase in property values.
Financial Breakdown and Challenges
For the upcoming budget, the school district is anticipating revenue from various sources: $215 million from the state, $19.4 million from federal resources, and $201 million from local tax collections. However, the previous year saw the district receiving $76 million in federal funding, which has been significantly reduced due to the end of relief programs.
A major contributing factor to the budget shortfall includes a contract increase with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, the Department of Health, and other agencies, totaling $6.1 million. This increase is projected to lead to an overall loss of $12.5 million for the district. Additionally, over $6 billion in federal school grants have been frozen, which has further impacted funding for educational programs.
As part of an ongoing effort to ensure operations, the district has allocated $2 million towards the 21st Century grant, allowing regular school functions to commence on August 11, although a significant amount of funding remains on hold. The district is also preparing for potential challenges in the 2026-2027 fiscal year, with evaluations of schools and personnel starting to take place as they anticipate difficult budgetary decisions ahead.
Impact of Increased Property Values
In terms of local finances, Leon County’s property values have increased by nearly 5% from the previous year, which has significant implications for budget planning and tax revenues. Although the local government has experienced a rise in tax revenue due to these property value increases, there exists community tension surrounding the proposed tax increases and their impact on local services.
In conjunction with these financial discussions, Governor Ron DeSantis is contemplating a request to lawmakers to redraw congressional boundaries, following a ruling from the Florida Supreme Court on a previous redistricting map. The budget meeting will also touch upon potential modifications to property tax laws being advocated by state lawmakers, which could drastically influence local services, including education and public safety that are funded by these taxes.
As the public hearing approaches, the school district, along with community members, faces critical decisions regarding funding and resources necessary to maintain educational standards amidst increasing financial pressures.
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Additional Resources
- Tallahassee.com: Leon Schools Face $17M Budget Cut Despite Tax Revenue Increase
- WTXL: Property Tax Bills May Be Higher This Year
- Tallahassee.com: Property Tax Hike Coming for Leon County Homeowners
- Google Search: Leon County schools
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education
Author: STAFF HERE TALLAHASSEE WRITER
The TALLAHASSEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERETallahassee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Tallahassee, Leon County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Springtime Tallahassee, Tallahassee Jazz & Blues Festival, and LeMoyne Chain of Parks Art Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Big Bend, plus leading businesses in education, healthcare, and insurance that power the local economy such as Florida State University, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, and Capital Health Plan. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
