The Jacksonville City Council voted Tuesday night to let residents decide whether to approve a tax hike for Duval County Public Schools.
In a 14-5 vote, council voted to allow the measure to appear on ballots in August.
The property tax increase of 1 mill over four years would allow the school district to address various areas of need, including a teacher shortage made worse by what the district calls an alarming increase in teacher resignations.
City General Counsel attorney Jason Teal reiterated before the vote that council's allowing the referendum on the ballot is not the end.
“The voters get to decide this issue," Teal said. "The voters are the ones who get to decide whether or not the millage increase should be assessed.”
In total, 75% of the money would go to teachers and support staff, 12.5% to arts and athletics, and the remaining 12.5% to charter schools, as required by state law.
