GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Clay County District Schools issued an informational fact sheet regarding the One-Mill Ad Valorem Referendum Renewal appearing on the upcoming ballot, outlining the revenue structure, oversight procedures and the specific operations funded by the measure.

Under current budget allocations, revenue from the voter-approved one-mill levy funds two primary areas: employee compensation and contracts with local law enforcement agencies. While Florida law establishes school safety and security standards, the district’s state safe-schools categorical allocation does not fully cover the total cost required to station a dedicated officer on every campus. The district utilizes local millage revenue to fund the remaining cost of its law enforcement agreements.

If the referendum is not renewed, the district’s operational revenue will be reduced, leaving an unfunded balance in the school safety budget; without this dedicated revenue source, the district cannot sustain its current law enforcement contracts to maintain a dedicated School Resource Officer (SRO) on every campus.

"In accordance with Florida law, our responsibility as a public school district is to provide our community with factual, neutral information regarding the ballot measure," said Superintendent David Broskie. "The one-mill referendum renewal addresses operational funding for two areas: competitive compensation for staff and law enforcement contracts. Because state Safe Schools allocations do not cover the complete cost of our law enforcement agreements, local referendum revenue fills that financial gap. If this funding is not renewed, the district would not have the funds allocated to maintain our current contracts for an SRO on every campus. We want to ensure all residents understand the plain budget facts as they evaluate the ballot."

Overview of ballot terms and budget facts

• Measure classification: This ballot measure is a renewal of the existing ad valorem millage rate originally approved by Clay County voters in 2020. It continues the current one-mill rate and does not increase local property tax rates.

• Dedicated operational areas: Florida statute and board resolution restrict 100% of the funds to Clay County public schools, designated for two areas:

1. Law enforcement agreements: Funding contracts with local law enforcement agencies to station a sworn School Resource Officer at every traditional school campus daily.

2. Instructional and Support Compensation: Funding competitive compensation to retain and attract certified instructional personnel and essential support staff.

• Operational impact of non-renewal: State categorical funding covers only a portion of the district's campus security expenses. Without the renewal of the one-mill funding, the district will experience an operational shortfall that prevents the continuation of current law enforcement agreements for comprehensive campus SRO coverage.

• Accountability and auditing: Referendum revenue cannot be diverted to general district administration or state accounts; expenditures are independently reviewed by a Citizens' Advisory Committee and subject to annual public audits.

• Ballot placement: The measure appears as a county referendum on the general election ballot.