By ALICIA LEONARD
The Walton County School Board (WCSB) held a public hearing on Sept. 9, 2014, for the adoption of a final budget and millage for the fiscal year 2014-15, at the district’s board room in DeFuniak Springs.
Three members of the board, Dennis Wallace, Gail Smith and Chairperson Faye Leddon were on hand to vote for the final proposal. Temporary Financial Director Jim Messer went over much of the same information he covered in the budget workshop held the week prior at South Walton High School (SWHS).
The board voted 3-0, to pass the millage levies for voted and non-voted, combined, at 5.4910 on the certified taxable value of $13.3 billion. The total millage rate was less than the roll-back rate computed pursuant to section 200.065(1) of the Florida Statutes by 6.269 percent.
While Required Local Effort (RLE) went down 0.168 mills, most homeowners did not feel the break, due to property values rising, offsetting any savings on future tax bills. Those whose property values went down or stayed the same might feel a modest reduction on the homeowners tax from the district.
The board also passed, 3-0, an estimated total budget for $111.8 million, up from the prior year’s expenditures of $95.9 million, an increase of $15.8 million or 16.53 percent. Much of the increase lay in Capital Projects for building, renovations and improvements in the new year.
A little over $70 million of the budget goes into operating funds, with 58.5 percent of those funds paying for the cost of instructional personnel.
For all of the frenzy the district’s finances whipped up among varied groups when the general fund fell short earlier in the year, the meeting to approve the final budget went out with a whimper, rather than a bang. Other than a board member-elect, and a few staff members, the audience was a sea of empty chairs, and no one spoke against the budget during the public portion of the meeting.
To learn more about the district, events and meetings go to www.walton.k12.fl.us.
