FLEMING ISLAND — The total taxable value of properties in Clay County for the next fiscal year was assessed to be $20.5 billion, an increase of 6.83% from last year. 

When all else is equal, an increase in property values typically means an increase in revenue. Property taxes — ad valorem taxes — are determined by the millage rate. 

The Clay County School Board voted 5-0 to adopt 6.2340 mills as the proposed millage rate and $661 million in the tentative budget during a public hearing on July 30. 

Susan Legutko, Assistant Superintendent for Business Affairs, supervises financial areas for the school district. During the meeting, Legutko explained the breakdown: 

• 2.986 mills from the total required local effort, which is required by state law. 
• 0.748 mills from basic discretionary.
• 1.000 mills from additional voted millage, approved by voters during the general election on the ballot.
• 1.500 mills from capital outlay.

This adds up to a total of 6.2340 mills, which would be a decrease from last year's millage rate of 6.404. However, it is still 1.54% more than the roll-back rate. 

From Clay County's $20.5 billion in taxable property value, the 6.2340 mills will generate over $128 million from local tax levies for Clay County District Schools. 

Legutko highlighted some expected payments that will be made from CCDS' tentative $661 million budget:

• $220 million for employee salaries
• $73.7 million for employee benefits
• $7.5 million for security provided by CCSO, which does not include $1.1 million spent last year on transition costs when the CCDS Police Department was decommissioned
• $12.0 million for maintenance and repairs for school buildings 
• $6.44 million for debt payments (the total debt, fees and interest for CCDS is $74.1 million)