Coffee County releases tentative July finances, proposes 14.493 millage and announces $350,000 after‑school grant

The Coffee County Board of Education on Aug. 28 reviewed tentative July financials and a proposed 2025 millage rate and was informed the district has been awarded a 21st Century Community Learning Center grant of $350,000 to operate after‑school programming.

Finance staff presented tentative July financials showing $31,530,330.88 (tentative) and noted the district is finalizing June reports that reflected a fiscal‑year close of $32,225,703.55 as of June 30. On the tax digest, staff recommended advertising a proposed 2025 millage of 14.493 mills with a rollback of 0.068 compared with the prior year figure cited in the presentation. The staff estimate accompanying the proposal projected an increase in revenue of approximately $92,274 if the proposed millage is adopted. Staff said they planned to advertise the millage rate and post the information to the district website immediately and schedule a meeting on Sept. 11 at 8 a.m. to consider formal adoption.

Separately, the board was notified it had received a Year‑one award of $350,000 from the State Department of Education for a 21st Century Learning Grant to fund after‑school programming at Eastside Elementary School serving students from West Greene, Eastside, Satilla and Westside (Coffee Mill was also referenced during placement discussion). Staff said the grant runs five years; board members asked about enrollment capacity and application procedures, and staff said enrollment will be rolled out through a screening process with an estimated capacity discussed during the meeting.

Board members placed the grant acceptance and millage advertising on the consent/advertising path for upcoming formal action; the transcript shows staff planned to advertise the millage and bring the adoption for consideration at the Sept. 11 meeting.