[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6657728,"mediaKeyId","5067014-14829bfeecf7401e6ae34212d73fc257","parentId",5067014,"title","Manatee board presses tax collector after 2% commission taken from voted half‑penny sales tax; members warn charter students will lose","audioSeconds",594,"startMs",336000,"endMs",930000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5067014-14829bfeecf7401e6ae34212d73fc257&start=336&end=930","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5067014-14829bfeecf7401e6ae34212d73fc257/thumbnail_336000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6657728/Florida/Manatee-board-presses-tax-collector-after-2-commission-taken-from-voted-halfpenny-sales-tax-members-warn-charter-students-will-lose","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6657728-aca1adc744bf8a9b3f2b15b226ff3853/orig.mp4?Expires=1775964776&Signature=ebVGNOpbJaldYdhPCaODAtdtLnV~JlOLOTs~FY83eW28SzEx4OiEv1CA1Ny1DNEgk5p9V961tgYmFo8aV2HqNAKAp~ZMvBRfaVfK6I2fGcRYusA2-CDzzaayFIjnYGDS8uz4ruKADyn7kkrVw7sJp2eXikI3ZPjQCwXLecZOlJVC-xlVbuUrR4SxLaGhQcG1jhqpIYBkGkm72jBjDX4ySkaqyuaFMri7wnpo4VamVXW6ixGIxwuwY3Yfk78eVQJwHdryt2SQYbKTYO3rmYDMkYF9E-9ctzHY2rtbZ2QzS2ZCbyMq3vwscb-HvAUsNXX1IJ9JSCQ6YAYsra~tHPNebQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","School District of Manatee County","date","2025-06-24T16:51:50.087Z","article","Manatee County School Board members on June 24 pressed staff over a new practice by the county tax collector to take a commission from the district's voter‑approved half‑penny sales surtax, a change district staff said has reduced available money for programs and the charter schools' proportionate share.

The discussion followed a public comment from longtime district employee Steve Zickafus, who applauded the board for proposing to share the surtax with charter students but said the district's plan \"deducts more than 12,000,000 annually in debt service tied to the district's 2,017 sales tax bond before funds are distributed. That significantly reduces the overall amount charter students can receive.\" He also warned language allowing future debt to be deducted \"opens the door to ongoing reductions in charter student funding.\"

Finance director Kathy Miley told the board the tax collector recently began taking a 2% commission on the voted millage after the office asked that the voter‑approved millage be listed separately on tax bills as an SC‑14 item rather than combined with other school millage on an SC‑12 line. \"Through the month of May the tax collector has taken 1.45 million in revenue for their commission on that,\" Miley said.

Board members pressed staff for a statutory citation and legal analysis. Attorney Jared Penley of the school board legal staff said he had reviewed the statute the tax collector cited and called the language ambiguous. \"When you look at the statute, you'll see it's hanging out there,\" Penley said, and added he could \"see their logic and how they were interpreting it\" but that the statute did not clearly resolve whether the commission applied to the voted millage.

Board members said they were upset at the timing and the effect of the commission. One board member urged the public to contact the tax collector, calling the action \"disgusting\" and saying parents and voters had not approved the tax collector to divert funds they had voted for schools.

Legal staff and others noted at least one prior case in Florida in which a city sued its tax collector over a similar commission and recovered charges; school counsel said there is precedent for litigation if the district chooses that path.

Board members asked staff to meet with Tax Collector Michael Burton to seek explanation and remedy and suggested escalating the issue to the county commission and state associations if necessary. Staff said they intend to meet with the tax collector and to share the statutory citations and budget documents with the board.

Why it matters: the volunteer half‑penny sales surtax is earmarked by ballot language for school programs including safety, literacy, STEM and a proportionate share for public charter schools. A recurring 2% commission on those collections reduces the money available for those programmatic uses and for charter schools that are legally entitled to a share. The legal ambiguity cited by board counsel means the dispute could be resolved administratively, legislatively or, if necessary, by litigation.

Next steps: district staff said they will schedule meetings with the tax collector's office, share the documents and legal evaluation with the board and consider further steps — including involving the county commission, state school board groups or legal action — depending on what those meetings produce.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Board Workshop - June 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Manatee County School Board members on June 24 pressed staff over a new practice by the county tax collector to take a commission from the district's voter‑approved half‑penny sales surtax, a change staff said has reduced money available for district programs and charters.","taxTitle","Manatee, School Districts, Florida","taxId",13113,"location","Florida","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6657718,"District outlines 2025‑26 general fund forecast as ESSER money winds down; board warns of future tradeoffs",573,7707000,8280000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5067014-14829bfeecf7401e6ae34212d73fc257&start=7707&end=8280","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5067014-14829bfeecf7401e6ae34212d73fc257/thumbnail_7707000.jpg","/articles/6657718/Florida/District-outlines-202526-general-fund-forecast-as-ESSER-money-winds-down-board-warns-of-future-tradeoffs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6657718-e4e8cf13778b8257702481d8ac11ed75/orig.mp4?Expires=1775964775&Signature=RJgxbe0zMnC~fHjpz6XW9tT0NbAJYSNXhcDenmT~-ojZ~BnlKuS9t2Q2VVrl0pU7NVPGoF5DK7cQlFWWR1JmVwIzCxD1YC3cw7VGyzMqYJEI7yzGhzuzuS2Y7kqhuLT7jZ4HrepkgJfgLHBKh5SKfIpBLZY3UT8wQPj8twIoQGxpDBP0D1rZW1v83gy2BsqlaVPamUg9mH3hTv7D0uCuac5btRZY8kubg9ScY-h8Z-ZHFKeCxcqD5e2Emlyl3n1QfVoie-oKTkgNE93OeWU69oRqanv19lB1R~lUE34uw7nP99YawQMBHaMm9hd17SdznDZrLOdN64l~K7WsKNjNHA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Manatee County School District staff on June 24 presented a preliminary general fund forecast for fiscal 2025‑26 that shows a lower projected fund balance as one‑time federal COVID relief money is exhausted and state funding changes and voucher growth affect revenues.

Budget staff said the district began the cycle with a high beginning fund balance acquired after multi‑year ESSER funding and conservative spending. For 2025‑26 staff projected beginning resources, transfers and revenues that would yield an estimated ending reserve around 8.68 percent of the general fund — slightly above the board’s 8.5 percent target — but well below recent multi‑year highs that reflected ESSER carryover.

Key assumptions staff highlighted included a 95 percent vacancy fill factor (a conservative change from prior years), a 2% tax collector commission being taken from the voted millage (which staff said reduces referendum proceeds), a $3 million budget line for upcoming textbook adoptions (world languages and related shipping/consumables) and a projected increase in school taxable value that raised local revenue estimates.

Legislative changes staff summarized included a new categorical for academic acceleration options (AP/IB/dual enrollment/early graduation) worth about $7.7 million statewide for the district, a $41.62 increase in the base student allocation (BSA) that generated an approximate $5.4 million increase in FEFP funding, and adjustments to program cost factors that reduced district revenue in other lines.

Board members pressed for more regular tracking and earlier warning signals. Several asked for monthly or early‑September updates tied to enrollment and 10‑day counts (which inform state calculations), and requested historical tables comparing budgeted and actual tax collections and charter proportions so the board can see prior forecasting accuracy. Trustees and staff also discussed the tension between using one‑time fund balance for urgent programmatic needs versus preserving reserves to ensure long‑term sustainability.

Why it matters: the district winds down pandemic relief funds and faces new state policy and voucher dynamics that change how much recurring revenue is available. That affects decisions about hiring, program expansions and long‑term commitments.

Next steps: staff said they will provide more detailed scenarios, vacancy tracking and a July briefing before the formal advertising of the tentative millage. The board directed staff to return with more detailed enrollment, charter trend data and monthly vacancy reporting.","At a June 24 workshop the district presented its preliminary general fund budget for 2025‑26, showing lower projected fund balance as COVID relief (ESSER) funding sunsets and new legislative changes affect state revenue. Board members discussed risks, vacancy assumptions and the need for continued fiscal caution.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6657723,"Board reviews REDI 2026 plan for voter‑approved millage: early learning, STEM, safety, arts and athletics highlighted",2494,511000,3005000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5067014-14829bfeecf7401e6ae34212d73fc257&start=511&end=3005","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5067014-14829bfeecf7401e6ae34212d73fc257/thumbnail_511000.jpg","/articles/6657723/Florida/Board-reviews-REDI-2026-plan-for-voterapproved-millage-early-learning-STEM-safety-arts-and-athletics-highlighted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6657723-1d610698e0054fcafb3bce2f8f7ce891/orig.mp4?Expires=1775964775&Signature=SQDk4qufgJZWfORQKoSMDFyD-m7oxU6N3xqP9dDY~DccXfpMu~VxS6mDsOEuhAscLYVd9qcR~vcUl4WU54GtNIYkd0BHX57hMgFDLDYCqmxaEB9Hz-nf2VNdCh1X1km61U5Sj4l9XOqdGn0HRTrkHvMt9g26vM6QM7KDR1-SxnnlY2L67qlA0aiQemxp0Z52MD8LY2hZ1vl9ivYjXKbGR-pIHY1KP-SHHhJU8mlDwMmMr8t81-zN5~MqeBNdy9y47av7lj3Sv0IEyoIyKsnfrBEYa1he-sZrSJDP4r2mSs1FbYA-ygmiBdSaLVUGgZJBgpUonaKd2sPFX12rwH5ozA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Manatee County School District staff on June 24 walked the school board through a proposed allocation of voter‑approved half‑penny sales surtax revenue for fiscal 2025‑26, labeled the REDI 2026 plan. Staff said the budget ties the surtax to the district strategic priorities and includes both continuing and new investments.

Finance director Kathy Miley and budget director Gina Milleniak joined Board member Sellers and interim Superintendent Chapman to present five discretionary buckets: early learning, STEM and career education, school safety, visual and performing arts, and athletics. Staff said the plan also retains the charter schools’ proportionate share, as required by the referendum ballot language.

Early learning: staff recommended a new literacy coach at every elementary and community site and more foundational instructional resources and interventions for pre‑K through grade 3. In the presentation staff noted third‑grade reading proficiency as a measurable long‑term outcome the plan aims to improve.

STEM and career education: presentations emphasized continued support for district STEM programming, robotics and competitions, elementary STEM teachers funded by the referendum and expanded career programming.

Student safety: the largest safety item proposed is expanding an “evolved” weapon‑detection and screening system already in use at high schools to middle schools, plus additional staffing for school guardians needed to operate the middle school rollout.

Arts and athletics: staff proposed continued annual allocations for school arts programming and competitions, and a new athletics bucket to level funding for officials, equipment, uniforms and postseason travel so smaller, non‑revenue sports would not be dropped for financial reasons.

Board members offered feedback during the workshop. Several asked for historical comparisons of collections versus budgeted amounts; one board member urged higher priority for early learning over STEM, while others said STEM funding covers a wide range of grades and career programs.

Staff stressed the allocations are preliminary and subject to change; the board set direction for a deeper July review. The board will consider final budget and millage rates in later public hearings.

Why it matters: the voter‑approved surtax is restricted by ballot language to school safety, retention and recruitment of staff, expanded instructional time, early literacy, STEM, arts, athletics and a charter proportionate share. How the district allocates that money affects program offerings across all Manatee County public and charter schools.

What’s next: staff will provide additional briefings and a detailed budget for board review and public hearings in July and September before final adoption.","District staff presented a proposed breakdown of next year’s voter‑approved half‑penny sales surtax funds (REDI 2026), outlining new and continuing investments in early learning, STEM, school safety, arts and athletics and the charter schools’ proportionate share.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Manatee board presses tax collector after 2% commission taken from voted half‑penny sales tax; members warn charter students will lose

District outlines 2025‑26 general fund forecast as ESSER money winds down; board warns of future tradeoffs

Board reviews REDI 2026 plan for voter‑approved millage: early learning, STEM, safety, arts and athletics highlighted