Board adopts tentative 5.332 millage rate and tentative budget amid enrollment decline and scholarship losses

The Levy County School Board adopted a tentative millage rate of 5.332 and approved a tentative budget resolution after a presentation by district finance staff that outlined enrollment declines, rising personnel and insurance costs, and expected revenue losses from scholarship programs. During the first of two public hearings on the budget, district finance presenter Miss Lake explained that the total tentative millage rate the board approved includes a required local effort (RLE) of 3.084 mills, a basic discretionary operating millage of 0.7480 and 1.5 mills for capital outlay, for a total tentative millage of 5.332. "The total tentative budget rate we'll be asking for approval for tonight is 5.332, which includes 1.5 for capital outlay and 0.7," Lake said during the presentation. The board adopted tentative millage resolution 2601 by motion and…