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Clay County details projects and revenues from 30-year half‑cent "Ed First" sales tax
Summary
District staff and the Citizens Advisory Committee reviewed receipts, a projected $813 million 30‑year total and recent projects funded by the half‑cent capital outlay sales tax; the committee validated expenditures as consistent with Florida statute.
Bryce Ellis, assistant superintendent of operations for Clay County District Schools, told the board on March 6 that the district’s 30‑year half‑cent capital outlay sales tax — branded locally as “Ed First” — is on track and being overseen by a citizen advisory committee.
Ellis said the district’s conservative forecast assumes 3% annual growth and projects roughly $813,000,000 in receipts over 30 years. She told the board the district received about $18,400,000 in the most recent fiscal year and is on pace to reach $20,000,000 by the end of the current fiscal year.
The presentation outlined how the district has used receipts so far and what remains in planning: digital marquee signs for high schools, track and playground replacements, covered play areas at elementary schools, restroom renovations (including Orange Park Junior High and Middleburg High phase work), locker room upgrades at Lakeside Junior High, a Clay High parking expansion adding nearly 200 spaces, and a visitor concession at Keystone Heights High. Ellis said roughly 5% of receipts are shared with charter schools under the district’s estimate for charter student allocation.
Glenn Stroman, vice chairman of the Citizens Advisory Committee, told the board the committee meets quarterly, reviews monthly revenue reports and “validates” that reported expenditures are in line with Florida statute governing capital outlay sales tax references. “Without this half‑cent sales tax, you would not have air conditioned spaces. You would not have updated bathrooms,” Stroman said, adding the committee reviews and asks districts representatives hard questions at its meetings.
Ellis described oversight practices: monthly reconciliations with the Florida Department of Revenue, a public project list posted on the district website, and quarterly advisory‑committee reviews. She said the district started with an expected annual stream of about $13.5 million when the referendum was placed on the ballot in 2020 and reminded the board that the 30‑year authorization means the district will not need to return to voters until 2050.
Stroman signed a validation letter that was included in the board packet and told members he and the committee had reviewed quarterly reports and found the documentation consistent with statute. The board did not take action on the presentation; it was offered as an informational update with committee validation.
District staff said a dashboard and updated website pages for Ed First projects will roll out to give residents more detail on receipts and project status.
