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New Gulf County Tax
12/01/08 - 05:35 PM
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Mark Jenkins - bio

Gulf County, Fla:

In the wake of a struggling economy, new taxes could be on the way in Gulf County.  The School District wants to increase the millage rate to offset economic set backs.  It’s not so much the taxes, however, as it is the timing that draws criticism.

“Last year we had to cut 43 jobs and over $2.1 Million,” Superintendent Tim Wilder says 50 more employees could be on the chopping block in the next two years.  Wilder says a one mill tax increase could be the solution.  It could generate $10 million over four years for operating expenses.

“It is the absolute last thing we could legally do to get out of this hole that we’re in,” Wilder said.  Most other districts are going to be in as well.”

The School Board will leave the tax up to the voters.  They’ll hold a special election in March, but County Commissioners wonder why it wasn’t put on the General Election ballot just one month ago.”

“I was disappointed it wasn’t put on the November ballot,” says Commissioner Billy Traylor.  “We had nearly 80% voter turnout in Gulf County.  My concern is that maybe you’ll have less than 20%.”

“We didn’t realize times were this bad,” Wilder said.  “We realized that about October and it takes two months to get on the ballot.”

Wilder expects the state to cut 4% from his budget by February and even more during the legislative session.  He says voting for the referendum in the spring is vital. 

“We have to go negotiate all this money with the unions, figure out where and how its spent, then be able to tell our principals where this money is going to go, who’s going to keep their job.”

Wilder says the School District would pay for the special election.  It would cost between $12-15,000.  That price could increase if they allow absentee and early voting.

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User Comments

I’m Sorry. Mr. Wilder says that “We did not realize times was this bad”, Well how is it that in the beginning of this year they (the school board) wanted to cut out things like R.O.T.C. and other activities because their budget was at or going to be in the red? Well thank god that some of the activities like the R.O.T.C. was not cut but other ones was. Now that they are not in place where is the money they were going to save at now? The teachers are working for just about nothing now, giving their own money for certain things for their class rooms just to do their jobs. I for one think if they (the board) would concern their efforts in education instead of teaching them (the students) how to take an FCAT test so they look good things would be better off than they are now. That is just my comment

Posted by  on  12/02  at  01:43 PM
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