Resolution 402-2015RESOLUTION NO.
402 -2015
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
REQUESTING THE SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS
PLACE ON THE MARCH 15, 2016 PRESIDENTIAL
PREFERENCE PRIMARY ELECTION BALLOT THE
SCHOOL BOARD'S REFERENDUM QUESTION
DETERMINING WHETHER THE SCHOOL BOARD OF
MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA SHOULD BE
AUTHORIZED TO ENACT A YEARLY AD VALOREM
TAX OF 0.5 MILL, FOR FOUR (4) YEARS, BEGINNING
ON JULY 1, 2016, FOR OPERATING PURPOSES
PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 1011.71(9) AND 1011.73(2),
FLORIDA STATUTES.
WHEREAS, Section 1011.71(9) Florida Statutes authorizes a school
district to levy, by local referendum, additional millage for school operational
purposes up to an amount that, when combined with nonvoted millage levied
under the Section, does not exceed the 10 mill limit established in s. 9(b),
Art. VII of the State Constitution; and
WHEREAS, Section 1011.73 (2) authorizes a school board, by
resolution adopted a regular meeting, to direct the Board of County
Commissioners to call an election at which the electors within the school
district may approve an ad valoreum tax millage as authorized under Section
1011.71(9). Further such election may be held at any time, except that not
more than one such election shall be held during any 12 month period. Any
millage so authorized shall be levied for a period not in excess of 4 years or
until changed by another millage election, whichever is earlier; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Sections 1011.71 (9) and 1011.73 (2) on
November 17, 2015, the School Board adopted their Resolution No. 807,
attached hereto as Exhibit A to this resolution, to levy a yearly ad valorem
millage tax increase of 0.5 mill, for four (4) years beginning July 1, 2016, for
operating expenses of the School District; and
WHEREAS, the School Board has presented their Resolution No.
807 to the County requesting the County place their referendum question
concerning the School Board's levy of a yearly ad valorem tax increase of
1
t '
0.5 mill for four (4) years on the March 15, 2016 Presidential Preference
Primary Election Ballot;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County
Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida that:
Section 1. Pursuant to 1011.73 (2), Florida Statutes, the Supervisor of
Elections is hereby requested to place on the March 15, 2016
Presidential Preference Primary Election ballot the referendum
adopted by the School Board of Monroe County, Florida in its
Resolution No. 807 (attached hereto as Exhibit A).
Section 2. The Clerk is directed to send a certified copy of this
Resolution to the Supervisor of Elections.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners
of Monroe County, Florida, at a regular meeting of said Board held on the 9
day of December, 2015.
Mayor Heather Carruthers
Yes
Mayor pro tem George Neugent
Yes
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Commissioner Danny L. Kolhage
Yes
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Commissioner David Rice
Yes
or
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Commissioner Sylvia Murphy
Yes
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BOARD OF COUN Y COMMISSERS�
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OF MONROE C
LPRIDA
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n.
By:
Mayor He ther
rruthers
• -.- •• .-
2
EXHIBIT A
RESOLUTION NO. 807
WHEREAS, capital funding is adequate to meet the district's current needs, given the
current and contemplated continuance of the ad valorem tax;
WHEREAS, the Monroe County School District had operation budget shortfalls for
teachers' salary increases, insurance, teacher benefits and classroom materials prior to the
enactment of the increase in ad valorem taxes in 2004;
WHEREAS, the state funding formula does not allow for the Monroe County public
schools to have flexibility between operation funds and capital funds;
WHEREAS, the School Board continues to require sufficient revenues to maintain and
improve its high quality schools;
WHEREAS, although, Florida law provides for an increase in ad valorem taxes for four
(4) years for operating purposes pursuant to voter referendum; and the District does have the
flexibility to reduce ad valorem taxes for specified capital expenditures to an amount equal to the
ad valorem tax increase for operating expenditures; thereby creating a tax neutral shift after a
successful referendum under 1011.71(6), Florida Statute.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the School Board of Monroe County,
Florida, in a public meeting duly called and assembled:
That pursuant to Section 1011.73(2), Florida Statutes, the Board of County
Commissioners of Monroe County is hereby directed to call a special
election for March 15, 2016, for the qualified electors of the Monroe
County School District to vote on an ad valorem millage increase for
operating expenses of the School District as authorized by Section
1011.71(9) Florida Statutes.
2. The substance of the millage referendum and the ballot title shall read:
RENEW FLEXIBLE FUNDING FOR MONROE COUNTY SCHOOLS:
The District's objective is to continue to make available a portion of the existing
capital ad valorem tax levy for operations — such as teachers, school nurses and
classroom materials. The District intends to continue its reduced millage for
capital projects, and continue to make available the equivalent amount for
operations.
Shall the district continue to enact a yearly ad valorem tax of .5 mill, for four (4)
years beginning July 1, 2016, for operating purposes?
YES
PASSED AND DULY ADOPTED this Hday of +'�/1�; 2015.
THE SCHOOL BOARD OF MONROE
COUNTY, FLORIDA
By: 0-� OB
Chai an
Attest:
Superintendent Mark T. Porter