First public hearing on school budget is Tuesday

The Hernando County School Board will hold its first public hearing at 6 p.m. Tuesday on the proposed 2009-10 budget.

By law, the school board is required to hold two public budget hearings. The second will take place Sept. 15.

The school board has the authority to raise the tax rate by 25 cents for every $1,000 of taxable property value.

If board members do agree to the increase, the tax rate would still be slightly lower than last year, according to the proposed budget.

The public will have an opportunity to speak after the numbers are presented.

Afterward, the school board will vote on whether to adopt the tentative millage rate - 7.72 mills or 7.47 mills, depending on whether they approve the quarter-mill increase.

One mill equals one dollar for every $1,000 of taxable property value.

Tuesday's budget meeting will be followed by a regular school board meeting, which is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.