During the November 2024 election, St. Johns County voters have the opportunity to support their local schools with 2 important votes.
Early voting began in St. Johns County on Monday, October 21. There are 2 critical votes on the ballot that directly impact St. Johns County Schools and our students. The INK! Team sat down with Superintendent Tim Forson recently to discuss the 2 initiatives on the ballot. Listen to the episode to learn more about the impacts of these initiatives before you head to the polls.
Highlights of our conversation with Superintendent Forson
Renewal of the Half-Cent Sales Tax
- The referendum on the ballot asks for your support to renew the half-cent sales tax. First approved by voters in 2014, this referendum asks voters to maintain the current sales tax rate of 6.5%, the lowest in northeast Florida, for 10 more years.
- The half-cent sales tax funds St. Johns County School District capital costs. Over the last ten years, this money has supported the construction of 2 new schools, the expansion and improvement of existing schools, the investment in essential safety equipment and infrastructure, and help outfit classrooms with modern technology.
- Visitors and tourists contribute 38% of the tax revenue generated from this half-cent sales tax.
- The half-cent sales tax is projected to provide approximately $37 million per year in funding for St. Johns County School District capital expenses.
- A Citizens Advisory Committee oversees how all funds received from the sales tax are spent by the St. Johns County School District.
- Learn more about the “Promises Made, Promises Kept” and how the school district has invested half-cent sales tax money over the past 10 years at www.halfcentsuccess.com.
One Mill Additional Operating Millage
- This new initiative seeks to add one mill to the existing millage rate on properties that are required to pay school taxes in St. Johns County.
- One mill is equal to $1 in property tax per $1,000 in taxable property value as determined by the St. Johns County Property Appraiser, after all exemptions have been applied.
- If passed, this property tax would remain in effect for 4 years. After 4 years, voters would have the opportunity to vote to again.
- Unlike the other dollars collected for school taxes, which go to the state and are then redistributed to school districts based on a per student funding formula, 100% of the one mill property tax revenue will stay in St. Johns County.
- If approved by voters, 85% of the funds generated by this property tax will fund salaries and benefits for teachers and support staff who work with our students and in our schools.
- If passed, tax revenue will fund student welfare resources including school nurses and mental health counselors as well as enhancing educational offerings within the schools.
- Twenty-five counties in Florida have already passed this dedicated property tax, including Duval, Clay, and Nassau counties.
- Passage of the referendum will allow St. Johns County to remain competitive in educator pay and to recruit and retain the best professionals to serve our students.
Download the informational flyers here.
