JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A battle appears to be brewing between the school board and city council in Duval County.
It comes after the council finance committee deferred a request by the school board to place a referendum on the November ballot that would extend an extra property tax meant to fund teacher pay, school security and arts and athletics programming.
The Duval School Board wants to ask voters to green-light the extension of a 1 mill property tax that provides more than $100 million in annual funding to the district.
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Voters approved the temporary increase in 2022, and it’s set to expire next year if it’s not extended.
Board Member Melody Bolduc (District 7) argued the district can’t afford to lose the revenue if it wants to stay competitive.
“We need our teachers and we need to demonstrate respect and honor for them. We need to show that we appreciate them and this is how you do it,” Bolduc said.
To be placed on the ballot, the referendum needs to be approved by the Jacksonville City Council, but given the push to cut property taxes at the state level, it’s being met with hesitation.
Councilmember Raul Arias (R-District 11) was one of the members who voted to defer the referendum when it came before the Finance Committee Tuesday.
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“This is literally extending a rate property tax increase. This is a large level foe that I think that we should not rush into,” Arias said.
But the council may not have a real say in the matter, as city attorneys explained, placing the referendum on the ballot is simply a ministerial function.
Arias said he hopes to get a definitive answer on that point during a planned public meeting on the referendum Friday.
“I’m not ready to vote on this because I don’t even know what the implications would be legally for us as a governing body to take this up and say no,” Arias said.
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Duval School Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier indicated the district is consulting with its attorneys on possible paths forward if council tries to block the referendum.
Bolduc said it’s her hope council comes around and lets voters decide in November.
“It’s not my desire to ask. So, I think they know that and so I hope that they trust that we’re asking because we are in a place where we can’t not ask,” Bolduc said.
Bolduc provided Action News Jax with an additional statement to provide more context to her remarks:
“This referendum is not a new tax increase. It is the continuation of the current voter-approved one mill that supports teacher and staff compensation, school safety personnel, arts, athletics, and student activities for Duval County students.
“We are still competing in the middle of a national teacher shortage, and approximately 87.5% of the district’s share of these funds currently goes directly toward personnel supplements for teachers and staff, including charter school allocations required under Florida law. For many employees, this funding represents several thousand dollars annually in compensation they have now relied upon for multiple years.
“These referendum funds are independently audited, publicly reported, and overseen by a citizen Audit Advisory Committee to ensure accountability and proper stewardship of taxpayer dollars. After 2 years of budget reductions and operational efficiencies, I have not seen a recurring funding source capable of replacing tens of millions of dollars in ongoing compensation support without major consequences to staffing and school operations.
“I respect the role of the City Council and understand the questions being asked. Fiscal scrutiny is healthy and appropriate. But ultimately, I believe the voters of Duval County should have the opportunity to decide this issue for themselves at the ballot box.”
Council has until June 23 to approve the referendum before it would be too late for it to be placed on the November ballot.
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