The Duval County School Board held its first public hearing on a proposed budget for the upcoming school year Thursday night.
Board members are considering a $1.69 billion dollar spending plan that’s some $40 million less than last year’s budget.
They’re also looking at rolling back the property tax rate from 7.11 percent last year to 6.80 this year. Board member Scott Shine said the proposed tax rate cut stems from a reduction in the state’s tax rate requirements.
“One of the reasons (the state's) doing that is the rapid advance in property values," Shine explained. "So what we saw is a small reduction in the state mandatory (tax) rate. But that will be offset by the increases in property values.”
Thursday's public hearing on a proposed 2016-2017 budget is the first of three required meetings. The second is set for Sept. 8. The Duval County School Board will take a final vote on the proposed spending in mid September.
Duval County students return to classes Aug. 15.
