Duval County Public School Board to vote on half-cent sales tax to fund repairs, new schools

Related: DCPS suggests proposals for aging school improvements, replacement | Duval County Public Schools outlines a solution for aging school | DCPS previews "Facilities Master Plan" for aging schools | Duval County Public Schools discusses how to fund nearly $2 billion to repair, replace schools

On Tuesday, the school board is expected to vote on a resolution calling for a half-cent sales tax for 15 years starting in January 2020.

According to the resolution, the money will be spent on upgrading and modernizing 158 local schools.

Board Chairwoman Lori Hershey said, “If we can go ahead and start those repairs the first part of the year, it’s going to put us ahead overall.”

If approved by the board, the plan must be OK'd by the City Council so a special election can be held on Nov. 5^th.

The special election would come at an additional cost to taxpayers.

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A bill awaiting the governor’s signature would allow the addition of sales tax referendums only in years with general elections.

So, if City Council doesn’t give the go-ahead for a November vote, it could delay the process another year.

Hershey explained, “If we have to wait, we have to wait. But we are spending a half million dollars a year currently just on repairs, and we already have over a billion dollars in back log for maintenance currently.”

Duval County Supervisor of Elections Mike Hogan said a special election would take at least 120 days to set up and would cost between $750,000 and $1.2 million.

He explained the money would have to be appropriated by city council.

Jennifer Howard who lived in Jacksonville weighed in on the proposed sales tax saying, “Education is at the top of my list. Really. I think nothing bad can come from more education and more funding.”

Meanwhile Myrick said she’s not sure another tax is the right solution.

She explained, “I see the benefit of it. I also feel like better budgeting could also really improve the school system here in Jacksonville.”

Action News Jax Beth Rousseau reached out to all members of City Council.

Response will be posted here as they come in.

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