Marion County School Board adopts 2025–26 budget, sets millage 5.64% above rollback

The Marion County School Board on Sept. 9 adopted a $1,311,822,727 final budget for fiscal year 2025–26 and approved a proposed total millage rate of 6.32 mills — 5.64% higher than the rolled-back rate of 5.9823 mills.

The action came at a special meeting called to hold public hearings on millages and the district budget. Interim Superintendent Danielle Brewer presented the final budget and the changes made since the tentative budget adopted July 29, 2025, and the board voted on a series of financial motions and reports during the hearing.

Board members said the budget reflects a combination of state-required local effort, grant carryovers and program funding while underscoring that much of the district’s spending is salaries and benefits. Dr. Danielle Brewer, interim superintendent, told the board the total millage “is greater than the rolled back rate by 5.64%.”

Public commenters at the hearing pressed the board about property tax bills and school performance. Dana Cawthon of Citra criticized the district’s outcomes and the recurring requests for more taxpayer funds, saying, “asking taxpayers to pay more and more every year for something that we can't even use is really disgusting and not sustainable.” Patricia Williams, a new resident, said rising taxes were forcing difficult household choices: “You are stealing from people that don't have the money to give to you.” Pam Garbig, a senior, urged tax relief for older residents with limited incomes.

District staff answered procedural and technical questions about how property assessments, exemptions and millage interact with individual tax bills. Chief Financial Officer (staff) Mr. Welch said the effects vary by parcel and are “on a case-by-case basis,” and directed residents to the county property appraiser and tax collector for exemptions and assessment questions.

The board approved several motions related to the district's finances during the meeting. They adopted a final budget resolution for fiscal year 2024–25, approved monthly and annual financial reports, amended the tentative budget to the proposed final budget for 2025–26, adopted Resolution 25-11 determining revenues and millages, and adopted Resolution 25-12 affirming the final budget for fiscal year 2025–26 in the amount stated above. All formal financial motions during the hearing passed unanimously by the board members present.

Board members who voted aye on the budget and millage motions were Dr. Lisonbee Campbell (District 1), Lori Conrad (chair), Rev. Eric Cummings (District 3) and Dr. Sarah James (District 5). The board noted that approximately $50 million of the district budget is pass-through funding, and that roughly 70% of the budget is salaries and benefits.

The superintendent’s presentation listed changes between the tentative budget of $1,285,332,143 and the proposed final budget, including transfers from capital projects for portable leases; funding and carryovers for new and renovation projects (Ross Prairie elementary carryover, Winding Oaks elementary carryover, Osceola [Bridal] School gymnasium carryover, Dunnellon High School HVAC carryover); PECO grant funds; CAPE funds; Title I and other federal grants; and workforce development projects at MTC.

The board encouraged residents with questions about tax assessments and exemptions to consult the county property appraiser and tax collector and mentioned that previous work sessions on the budget are available on the district’s YouTube channel for detailed explanations.

Votes at a glance: - Motion to approve meeting agenda — Passed (3–0). - Final budget resolution for fiscal year 2024–25 (resolution number 10 as described on the agenda) — Passed (4–0). - Monthly financial report for year ending June 2025 — Passed (4–0). - Motion to amend adopted tentative budget to proposed final budget for fiscal year 2025–26 — Passed (4–0). - Resolution 25-11 determining revenues and millages for fiscal year 2025–26 — Passed (4–0). - Resolution 25-12 affirming the final budget for fiscal year 2025–26 in the amount of $1,311,822,727 — Passed (4–0). - Acknowledgement and approval of the annual financial report for fiscal year ending 06/30/2025 — Passed (4–0).

The board ended the hearing after approving the financial items and reports. There were requests from several speakers for clearer public outreach on how tax bills are calculated and for county offices to provide assistance on exemptions and assessment questions; the board directed staff to continue providing information but did not adopt changes to millage or tax policy at the meeting.