Commissioners authorize placing half‑cent school surtax on the ballot after school board request

The Suwannee County Board of County Commissioners on May 19 authorized placing a one‑half‑cent sales surtax to benefit Suwannee County Schools on the November ballot after the School Board submitted Resolution 2026‑07‑R.

County Attorney Morrison explained the sequence required by statute: the school board first adopts a resolution requesting the surtax be placed on the ballot and then the county commission has a ministerial duty to authorize its placement. He said the ballot question’s allowable uses are limited by statute to capital improvements, security and technology. "So for some reason, they wrote it into the statute that after the school board says put it on the ballot, the Board of County Commissioners shall authorize that to be put on the ballot," Morrison said.

Commissioner Hale moved to authorize placing the question on the ballot; Commissioner Land seconded and the motion carried 5‑0.

Why it matters: If approved by voters in November, the surtax revenue would be restricted to statutory uses for the school district and could fund capital and security projects.

What’s next: The board’s action is ministerial; the ballot question will appear as authorized by the school board’s resolution and county staff will coordinate with election officials.