Hendry County School Board approves tentative $266.1 million budget and 5.346-mill levy; vote 4-1

The Hendry County School Board voted 4–1 to adopt a tentative budget of $266,105,612 for fiscal year 2025–26 and approved proposed millage rates totaling 5.346 mills, the district’s chief financial officer said. The proposed millage breaks down as 3.098 mills for general operating (including a prior-year adjustment), 0.748 mills for basic discretionary operations and 1.5 mills for capital outlay. CFO Adams presented the tentative budget and the millage calculations and said the 5.346 mills represent a 4.38% increase over the state rollback rate. Adams told the board the rollback rate is calculated to generate the same amount of tax revenue as the prior year and that, per the presentation, a 3.098 levy is necessary for participation in the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP). Superintendent (unnamed in the transcript) recommended the millage levies and the tentative budget. The motions to adopt the millage and to approve the tentative budget passed 4–1, with board member Miss Busey voting no on both measures. Busey spoke at length before the vote, saying she was uncomfortable raising property tax levies in a county with high poverty and rising household costs. “I struggle with raising a millage rate on discretionary where we do have discretion,” Busey said, adding that the board should consider keeping levies at the rollback rate to avoid increasing burdens on families and businesses. Board discussion and staff presentations also flagged several budget risks: a projected decline in brick-and-mortar enrollment, low kindergarten enrollment this fall, potential reductions or sunsets in some federal grant funding, volatility of nonrecurring revenue sources and self-insured medical claims. The presentation showed a projected unassigned general-fund balance of roughly 26% going into fiscal year 2026, noting that the number includes some anticipated income and will change as enrollment and final allocations are confirmed. Adams said next steps include adopting the proposed millage rates and the tentative budget now and holding a final budget hearing set for Tuesday, Sept. 9 at 5:30 p.m.; the district’s tentative budget book is posted on BoardDocs for review. The board’s action establishes the proposed tax rates and budget to continue to the public-notice and final-adoption period; final millage and budget adoption will occur at the September hearing after required public notices and any adjustments.