Charlotte County Schools rolls back millage rate

PORT CHARLOTTE —Charlotte County School Board is advertising its millage rate not to exceed 6.31 mills, which is lower than last year’s 6.47 rate.

The proposed 2025 tax rate is $6.31 for every $1,000 of property value, a slight decrease from the current rate.

Despite the decrease, the average tax bill could be slightly higher due to increased property values.

The district’s proposed operating budget expenditures are 7.3% more than last year. The entire $552 million budget will be discussed at a meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at Charlotte County Public Schools, Education Support Services and Murdock Center at 1445 Education Way, Port Charlotte.

The school district’s Chief Financial Officer Greg Griner will give an overview.

In the budget is more than $135 million for teachers’ pay and $1.3 million for food services to offer free lunches to all students.

Up for renewal is the 1.50 mill property tax for capital projects. It is not a new tax.

The district broke down where the $53,762,589 in funding generated will to make improvements at schools, buy equipment and pay insurance premiums.

The project list includes:

New construction at Charlotte High School and Port Charlotte High School.Remodeling athletic facility improvements at various school and ancillary locations.Land acquisitions.Maintenance, repairs and renovations of school and ancillary facilities.Site improvements and paving at various school and ancillary locations.11 new school buses.Purchase maintenance, operations and distribution vehicles.New and replacement equipment, computer devices, hardware, operations systems and software.Furniture and equipment for school and ancillary locations.Computer software and hardware for school and ancillary locations and license/maintenance fees or lease agreements.Purchase facilities and sites under a lease-purchase agreement.Annual lease payment for qualified school construction bonds debt service on certificates of participation.Rent for educational facilities and sites and plants.Environmental statutes compliance.

Removal of hazardous waste.

Relocating educational facilities, portable classroom leases.Premiums for property casualty insurance.Insurance premiums on district facilities.Charter School outlay projects.Purchase property for construction or relocation of school facilities.Costs for opening day collection for library media center.

Residents can speak during the public hearing Tuesday.