ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – St. Johns County voters have made their voices heard on two ballot referendums expected to help with school funding in the fast-growing county.
The first referendum pertained to the county continuing the half-cent sales tax, which voters approved in 2015, for another 10 years. The tax helps pay for capital outlay projects for growth, maintenance, technology, and safety.
If voters approved continuing the half-cent sales tax for another 10 years, it would remain at 6.5%. Thirty-eight percent of the half-cent sales tax revenue comes from St. Johns County visitors.
A website by the school district illustrates how the money has been used over the past decade.
The second is regarding a property tax increase for the next four years. Officials say its approval would pay for teacher and staff salaries, along with benefits.
With over 95% of votes reported for both measures, approval was 60% for the first referendum, while approval for the second referendum was 68%.
Michael Degutis, chief of staff for St. Johns County Schools, said the first referendum is an “easier sell” to voters because it’s not a tax increase.
“So in theory, if you spend as much next year as you do this year, not including inflation, you will spend no more in sales tax next year,” Degutis said.
Additionally, St. Johns County Schools says the one-mill property tax increase will equal one dollar for every thousand dollars of assessed value on a property. That means if your house is valued at $360,000 your property tax increase will equal $360.
“You will pay more in property taxes, but the amount of money [the tax] raises for teacher salaries and benefits and employee educational support employee salaries is historical,” Degutis said. “To be quite honest with you, it’s monumental compared to anything we’ve been able to put on the table for salary increases and benefits for our employees in my 14 years here in the district.”
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