Florida Statute § 212.055 authorizes School Boards to submit a question to the electors of a county regarding a school capital outlay surtax. This resolution would allow Clay County voters to decide if they want a half-cent discretionary sales tax. If approved by Clay County voters, this funding would be used exclusively for school reconstruction and renovations, new construction, and improvement of school facilities including future safety and security improvements as well as technology upgrades. This half-cent sales tax would begin January 1, 2020 and would automatically sunset and terminate after a period of thirty years. School district staff shall identify a list of critically-needed projects within Clay County District Schools and all expenditures will be monitored by a citizen advisory committee.

The Clay County School District currently has 42 schools with the oldest being 92 years old. The district also has more than 900 ‘portable classrooms’ throughout the county, many of which are at, or beyond, their expected lifespan. Currently, existing facility upgrades total approximately $350 million. New growth construction is projected at $300 million over the next 5-10 years. Funds raised from this half-cent sales tax will provide facility renovation and repair, new construction, safety and security improvements, and technology upgrades.

At current levels, a half-cent discretionary sales tax is projected to generate nearly $13.5 million annually for school district capital projects. Over the course of thirty years this discretionary surtax would generate more than $400 million for Clay County District Schools. This figure is expected to grow significantly and compound over time as more than 12,000 new homes are currently scheduled to be built in southern Clay County. The outer beltway will also drive additional revenue from out-of-county individuals.

Increased funding for capital expenditures would allow the school district to renovate and improve public school facilities across Clay County. School district staff shall identify a list of critically-needed projects within Clay County District Schools and all expenditures will be monitored by a citizen advisory committee.

Approval of this resolution would allow the voters of Clay County to decide if they want to provide additional funding for school district capital projects by approving a half-cent sales tax.