TAMPA -- Hillsborough School Board members decide they want more information before putting a property tax increase on the ballot in 2024.
At Tuesday's board meeting, Superintendent Van Ayres told members it's about keeping up with competing districts that already have a one-mill tax. "This is about leveling the playing field," Ayres said. He adds that most of the biggest districts in Florida (Hillsborough is 3rd) already have the one-mill local-option property tax.
But voters rejected a sales tax hike in 2022, and board member Patti Rendon says they need to show fiscal responsibility to the voters. "I cannot say that we've cut corners (in the budget), " Rendon said. Member Stacy Hahn says the wording doesn't guarantee that teachers will get salary increases, as opposed to administrators.
Board memebrs voted to set a workshop in January before a vote on the referendum in February.
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