Bill would allow school district sales tax

A newly filed education bill would allow voters to decide if they'd like to swap a portion of property taxes in lieu of a half-cent sales tax for capital improvement projects, such as school construction, maintenance and repairs.

However, one education official said he doubts local voters would go for such a measure and added doing so would do little to alleviate budget concerns in the district.

On Tuesday, the PreK-12 Appropriations Subcommittee approved House Bill 1343, which would allow districts to implement a local sales tax to pay for school building construction and maintenance.

If lawmakers approve the bill, school board members would then have the option of placing the matter on a ballot.

However, to use sales tax dollars through the bill, the school board would also have to agree to lowering the property tax levy by the same amount.

Superintendent Bryan Blavatt said Wednesday that, if approved, school board members wouldn't approve using it.

The district already is on the state watch list because officials had to dip too far into the reserve fund to balance the budget. Blavatt added that implementing a sales tax while reducing property taxes at a time when budgets are shrinking would do little to help the district.

"Plus, every attempt that's been made to look at millage or add tax has not been very well received because of the economy," Blavatt said. "And we're not building any more schools — so to be honest I think it's a moot point."

Blavatt was referencing the failed tax increase ballot question in 2010 that would've allowed the board to levy an additional 0.25 mills that would have potentially added $2.23 million to the district's coffers.

However, according to committee analysis of the bill, voters might warm to the option in light of decreasing ad valorem taxes and local revenues. Sales tax would also provide "greater flexibility in how sales surtax proceeds may be spent," the analysis said.

Statewide, there are 53 school districts that are not levying a sales tax, resulting in a combined estimate of unrealized tax revenue worth $1.005 billion, the committee analysis says.

The bill passed the subcommittee by a 13-2 vote. A similar bill, Senate Bill 980, was also filed in early January and has not been approved by any committees.

To follow these bills through the Legislature, go to www.myfloridahouse.com or www.flsenate.gov.