Chair Skipper opened the public hearing.  With no one coming forward to speak to the item, the public hearing was closed.

Chair Skipper opened the public hearing.  With no one coming forward to speak to the item, the public hearing was closed.

Chair Skipper opened the public hearing. With no one coming forward to speak to the item, the public hearing was closed.

Dawn Posey, Assistant Superintendent of Business Affairs, provided the attached visual presentation of the 2025-2026 tentative budget that included the proposed millages, rolled-back rate calculation, and proposed revenues and expenditures for all funds. The total millage to be levied is more than the rolled-back rate by 5.51% so the district is required to advertise a tax increase.  The district's total tentative budget (all funds) for the fiscal year 2025-2026 is $669,862,016. The final public hearing to adopt the final millage and budget for 2025-2026 will be held on September 11, 2025 at 5:05 p.m.

Current events with an immediate impact on the 2025-2026 budget were reviewed, including the FEFP third calculation being relesed two months late. The Base Student Allocation (BSA) increase is insufficient to cover inflation, new FRS rates, health costs, transportation costs, and electricity. The final FEFP disbursement reflected a $647,000 shortfall in the final Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP) disbursement to Clay County District Schools. 

Board member discussion included the requirement for funds to stay within their designated categories for expenditures and the restricted use of impact fees for new construction and payment of principal and interest on Certificates of Participation (COPS).

Chair Skipper opened the public hearing. Public speakers addressing the budget:

• Dennis Metheny

Paul Bement, Supervisor of Planning and Intergovernmental Relations, shared the attached visual presentation highlighting the following:

• Growth, Enrollment, and Student Data Trends
• Areas of Growth in Clay County
• Projected School Needs

Bryce Ellis, Assistant Superintendent of Operations, shared the attached presentation highlighting the following:

• Educational Facilities Plan
• Capital Revenue Sources
• Projected New Revenue
• Capital Outlay Expenditures
• Upcoming Planned Projects

Board member discussion included a parcel of land purchased by CCDS for a future school site (to be determined), expansion of lanes on FL-16, the inadequacy of impact fees to meet needs, certificates of occupancy, land conveyances from builders for school sites, the high cost of all projects, and the principals' input in the consideration of the Educational Facilities Plan.