Franklin County Voters Approve School Tax Increase

Franklin County voted Tuesday to approve a tax increase for the local school system, at least the voters who turned out did. Voter turnout Tuesday was 19.6 percent. Of those voting, 935 voted in favor of the tax issue, 530 voted against it. The issue will move about 1 and a half million dollars a year into the schools operating budget where it can be used for teacher and employee pay as well as other operating expenses. Local taxpayers should not see an increase in their tax bills because of the vote. The schools plan to reduce their construction budget by a half mill and increase their operating budget by the same amount so the overall tax assessment remains the same. The teachers at the Apalachicola Bay Charter School will not share in the increased tax revenue, but are working with the school district to receive additional building funds for a new school.