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Board attorney says House Bill 7031 could shift tax‑collection costs to county, complicating local funding
Summary
Putnam County School Board received a legal briefing that House Bill 7031 — enrolled and sent to the governor — would let tax collectors waive commissions on voted school millage and place payment responsibility on county commissioners; the board agreed to coordinate with county officials if the bill is signed.
The Putnam County School Board heard a detailed legal briefing on House Bill 7031, which board counsel said was enrolled and sent to the governor and would change who pays commissions on taxes collected for voted school millage.
"House Bill 7031...states that the tax collector may waive the commission authorized in paragraph for voted school millages," the board attorney said, adding that the bill also "states the commissions on the amount of taxes collected from the voted school millage shall be paid by the board of county commissioners." The attorney urged district leaders to coordinate with county officials and the tax collector to understand the financial implications if the governor signs the bill.
Board members expressed concern about the interaction between this change and a separate constitutional amendment that would expand homestead exemption over five years. One speaker warned the measure could sharply reduce local revenue, noting "the first year they're projecting $8.6 billion dollar of reduction in tax revenue for local government." The board discussed pursuing joint meetings with county leadership, the tax collector and counsel to clarify responsibilities and possible impacts on services such as libraries and recreation.
The attorney also reported that a related legal case in Sarasota County had been stayed pending the legislative action; if the bill becomes law, counsel expects it will resolve several open questions about whether the tax collector can waive commissions and which governmental body bears the cost.
Board members did not take a vote on the legal or legislative items at the meeting; they agreed to await the governor's decision and to follow up with interagency discussions and any necessary planning for budget impacts.
What happens next: the board attorney said he would notify members when the governor acts and recommended convening administrative and legal representatives from the affected agencies to review responsibilities and potential budget changes.
