Marion County again approves tax to support school budget

File photo: Students eat their breakfast in the cafeteria on the first day of school at Shady Hill Elementary in Ocala, Fla. on Wednesday, August 10, 2022. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2022.

Marion County voters decided for the third time to approve a referendum adding one mill to their property tax rate to generate additional dollars for Marion County Public Schools’ budget through 2027.

94,214 or 64.95% voted in favor of the measure, and 50,843 against it.

The one-mill property tax increase via referendum was first passed in 2014, and again in 2018 by 72% of voters.

The one-mill tax increase initially provided $15.9 million to the school district’s budget. Due to increased property values and a larger tax base, this year the revenue will total almost $28 million.

The funds raised were used to “fully restore art, music, library media services; physical education and vocational programs; to meet class-size requirements; to retain certified teachers and paraprofessionals; and enhance school security.”

In 2018, projects to improve school safety were added to that list for additional funding.