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Highlands County School Board adopts 2025–26 final millage and $212.8 million budget
Summary
The Highlands County School Board held a public hearing and approved a millage increase to 3.104 mills and a final budget of $212,793,059 for fiscal year 2025–26, following staff presentation of property-value growth and revenue estimates.
The Highlands County School Board on Wednesday adopted final millage rates and a $212,793,059 budget for fiscal year 2025–26 after a public hearing and roll-call votes.
District staff member Angelica Tinajero told the board the district’s assessed property values rose 14.82 percent and presented the proposed revenues and millages. "Our property assessed values increased 14.82%. Our millages have also increased from 3.096 to 3.104," Tinajero said, adding the change "equates to 8¢ of a thousand" and amounts to about a dollar in additional tax for every $100,000 of home value as shown in the district’s budget book.
The board approved Resolution No. 2526-05, "Florida Department of Education resolution determining revenues and millages to be levied," which sets the district-wide operating millage at 3.104. The resolution, as read aloud during the hearing, lists the amounts to be raised for the general fund, discretionary millage and the district local capital improvement fund and cites applicable state statutes governing millage and capital outlay determinations.
The board then approved Resolution No. 2526-06, the district’s final budget for fiscal year 2025–26, adopting total appropriations and revenue estimates for the July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026 fiscal year. The resolution text assembled by staff states the adopted budget total of $212,793,059 and confirms the board held the public hearing in compliance with the relevant provisions of Florida law.
Both resolutions were moved by Mrs. Howerton and seconded by Mr. Whitten. Roll-call votes recorded the same five affirmative votes for each resolution: Mrs. Howerton (yes), Mr. Whitten (yes), Dr. Durrance (yes), Mr. Martin (yes) and the board chair (yes). No nays, abstentions or recorded recusals were announced during the votes.
Board members and staff thanked one another after the votes. The chair noted the budget process included several workshops and discussions before adoption.
The district will file required budget forms, including the summarized fund-by-fund budget and the DOE ESE-139 report, as part of the submission to the Florida Department of Education.
