Lee County budget stresses health insurance, proposes options for senior tax relief

Gary Kelly, the district’s executive director of finance, briefed the board on budget priorities, saying the district increased local revenue by 15% this year to cover recruitment and retention initiatives and rising health insurance costs.

"Our operating budget is $91 million," Kelly said, adding that 58% of funding is state, 35% local and about 6% federal. He said 83% of operating funds go to compensation and benefits and that $14 million of that amount is for employee health insurance costs; Kelly characterized the average employer health insurance cost per eligible employee as about $22,000.

Kelly told the board that personnel costs dominate the budget and that making significant reductions would require reducing staff or increasing class sizes. He said per‑student local cost estimates and multi‑year averages show long‑term funding pressures and noted capital and debt are budgeted separately from operations.

Board members and the public raised concerns about the property tax burden on seniors. Elizabeth Palmer, an 83‑year‑old Lee County resident, described a significant drop in household income after her husband’s death and said her tax bill exceeded $2,000 this year, urging the board to consider relief for elderly, low‑income homeowners.

The chair said staff will present several targeted options for senior tax relief by the December board meeting or, at latest, January, emphasizing the need to avoid raising the millage rate in a way that would negate any relief.

The board did not adopt tax policy at the meeting; members requested further options and analysis for future consideration.