- March 27, 2024
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MANATEE COUNTY — Manatee County public schools will see few capital improvements over the next fiscal year as the Manatee County School Board focuses on servicing its debt.
The school board, in a 3-2 vote, adopted Sept. 8 its $598 million 2012 fiscal year budget, as well as a millage rate of 7.96 — up 4.86% from the current fiscal year.
Because of decreasing property values, however, the millage increase translates into an almost $4 decrease for most homeowners, although some may see increases of up to $70 depending on homestead exemptions and other factors, said Jim Drake, assistant superintendent of business services.
The increase in millage stems almost entirely from state statute, which requires the levy for the district to receive about $68 million in state funding for education.
Manatee Superintendent Tim McGonegal said the district has evaluated infrastructure at local schools, such as the track at Lakewood Ranch High School, to determine immediate versus long-term infrastructure and maintenance needs at each school.
“We’re very lean on maintenance (funding) this year, but we’re in good shape,” McGonegal said. “We are doing some preventative maintenance (where needed).”
McGonegal said about $3.5 million in cuts made to capital improvement spending will be used to pay down the district’s debt, a move that will result in significant long-term savings for the district. In total, the district will pay an extra $8.5 million toward its debt in fiscal year 2012.
Before the vote, East County resident and board member Julie Aranibar, who voted against the budget, urged the superintendent to utilize the district’s budget committee earlier in the budget process next year and to televise all budget-related workshops in the future.
By Pam Eubanks at [email protected].
Budget numbers
$290,000 — Trust and Agency portion of the budget
$25.9 million — Food service costs
$37 million — Special revenue portion of the budget
$49.2 million — Debt service costs
$126.2 million — Capital project costs in dollars
$319 million — Operating budget in dollars