Duval County voters will have the opportunity to decide whether to renew a property tax that supplements teachers’ salaries in the local school district. The Jacksonville City Council voted 15-0 to put the question on the November ballot.
Background on the Tax
The 1-mill tax, which was first approved by Duval voters in 2022, costs property owners $1 for every $1,000 of taxable value. This translates to about $300 annually for the average Jacksonville homeowner. According to district officials, the tax adds approximately $8,000 to each teacher’s salary and also helps fund arts and athletic programs.
Council member Raul Arias initially questioned the need for the tax, calling it a ‘false narrative’ that the district needs the additional revenue to pay teachers. However, after hosting a community meeting where Superintendent Christopher Bernier, school board members, parents, and teachers explained the impact of the salary supplement, Arias made the motion to bring the decision to the floor for a vote.
Council member Ron Salem, who was initially skeptical of the district’s need for the money, spent an hour talking with Bernier and found him ‘persuasive.’ Salem stated that he wanted to give Duval County voters the opportunity to vote on the referendum and hoped they would pass the renewal.
Original reporting: Jacksonville Today — read the source article.
