School Board Approves Hike in Proposed Millage Rate

The Manatee County School board voted 3-2 to approve a tentative increase in the millage rate as part of its nearly $580 million proposed budget on Monday, Aug. 1.

After a contentious debate over the budget, the board approved a millage rate that will cost the average taxpayer an additional $53 per year if it is adopted in September. That would bring the total school tax bill on the average home — a taxable value of $144,000 — to about $1,200, according to Jim Drake, assistant superintendent of schools.

The board adopted a 7.960 millage rate, up from 7.591, but agreed that it would hold additional work sessions to try to make deeper cuts in the school budget. are hoping the district can negotiate deep discounts in its health insurance rate. Two school board members are looking for enough in cuts — about another $16 million — to avoid an increase in the millage rate.

Bob Gause, chairman of the school board, warned that even a 10 percent discount in health insurance wouldn't be enough money to avoid an increase in the millage rate. Two school board members were pushing Monday for enough in cuts — an additional $16 million — to avoid an increase in the millage rate.

The state legislature dictates part of the millage rate, which goes directly to the state coffers to be divided amongst all 67 school districts. The school board sets its own millage for capital improvements, debt repayment and a supplemental operating budget, above what the state will return to the district.

Drake told the board that the increase in the millage rate is designed to make up in part for the 4.22 percent decrease in property values. The increased millage, he said, will bring in the same amount of revenue as last year.

The state legislature has already approved an increase to the base millage rate for schools. On Tuesday, the school board voted to return the local millage rate for capital expenditures to 1.50 mills after lowering it last year to 1.25 mills. That decrease was supposed to be temporary but was one of the big sticking points in the night's debate.

Two school board members questioned raising the millage rate for capital improvements given that some schools are not at capacity and that the school district isn't growing right now.

But Gause reminded the board that they money was used for school repairs as well as repaying debt on projects that had already been completed.

He urged board members to adopt the proposed millage rate on Monday and to come up with a specific amount to be cut from the budget and to direct the school superintendent to bring back options that would equal the amount. If the board can agree on further cuts, it could adopt a lower millage rate, he said.

Earlier this year, the board cut teacher pay and also adopted unpaid leave days for district employees. In addition, employees will have to contribute to their pension plans. The savings from those changes totaled about $14 million.

School board member Julie Aranibar was reluctant to give a specific dollar amount in cuts, but did say she wanted to avoid any increase in the millage rate.

"These are hard times," she said. "We have beautiful buildings and empty seats. How much do you need and when will it be enough?"

Board member Karen Carpenter joined her in the dissenting vote.

"We have issues with trust, confidence and credibility," Carpenter said. "The community does not trust us in what is going on here."

She said the perception in the community is that the school district is wasteful.

"People have lost their jobs, their homes," she said. "We need to be more mindful of the taxpayers and respond to that."

Every resident who spoke at Monday night's shoal board meeting seemed to agree: The school board needs to go back and trim its budget even further to avoid a tax increase. And most speakers were blunt in their assessment of the school board and the school administrators.

Peggy Martin said that not enough of the taxpayers' money was going to teach children, but on unnecessary expenses.

"Now Manatee citizens are trying to make ends meet and the cold-hearted administrator has asked the taxpayers for more money when they are struggling," she said. "With the economy like it is, why would you put more of a burden on the people who are struggling?"

Linda Neely wanted specific numbers from the board members, as well.

"What is the number you want from us?" she demanded of the school board. "I feel like you're the mob — the mafioso — it's never enough money."

After assuring the public that students come first, Gause said Monday night's budget hearing was "part of a continuing conversation" on the budget. He said the board can revisit the millage rate and potential budget cuts in work sessions before the Sept. 8 public hearing when the board will adopt the final budget and set the 2011-12 millage rate.