- December 15, 2025
Because of falling home values, Flagler County Public Schools’ revenue from property taxes is estimated at about $7.3 million this year, down from $12.3 million in 2007-2008, according to School Board Finance Director Tom Tant.
On the bright side, he said, the state Legislature will increase general fund contributions to Flagler schools by more than $3 million. But that won’t account for the more-than $3 million the state reduced its contribution to the same fund the year prior.
“We’ll still be below funding two years ago by $255,000,” he told the board, at its March 20 workshop.
Also a concern, he said, is that the $1.7 million critical-operating-needs fund will be “going away” next year and cannot be renewed.
Appeal of the 3% Florida retirement system contribution will have a $3 million impact on the budget, as well.
Fuel costs are rising. And the half-penny sales tax will return to the ballot this year, putting an extra $10 million of annual funding in peril. “We have to be conservative,” Tant told the board. “We have to assume that (the sales tax) is not going to (be renewed).”
Generally, sales tax is used for capital projects, many of which currently scheduled “have to be done,” he added, or else facilities will “suffer.” But technology employees are also paid through the tax.
“If that fund goes away, then we have to make room for (technology salaries) in the general fund,” Tant said. “(The half-penny) is worth $40 million to the school children in this district.”
Desoite facing so much red on the projected budget, however, Tant remains optimistic. He sees the negatives as a sort of distorted light at the end of a long and harrowing financial tunnel.
“Hopefully,” Tant said, “we’re bottoming out. The hope is next (budget) year will be the lowest value and our revenues will start going up (in 2013).”
At least, that’s according to projections. And his past budget projections have been right on track.
In 2013, he expects revenues to increase about $2 million. And in 2014, he expects a similar jump, bringing revenues over $92 million.
“But most of these numbers are going to be changing as we get toward 2013,” he reminded the board. So until final amounts come in and he knows exactly what the district will be dealing with, Tant prepares for the worst.
