THE SCHOOL BOARD OF ST. LUCIE COUNTY

Special Meeting – July29, 2008

MINUTES

The School Board of St. Lucie County held a special meeting in the School Board Room on July 29, 2008 at approximately 5:06 p.m.

PRESENT:MS. CAROL A. HILSON, Chairman

Member Residing in District No. 2

DR. JUDI MILLER, Vice Chairman

Member Residing in District No. 1

MRS. KATHRYN HENSLEY

Member Residing in District No. 4

ABSENT:DR. JOHN CARVELLI

Member Residing in District No. 3

MR. TROY INGERSOLL

Member Residing in District No. 5

ALSO PRESENT:MR. MICHAEL J. LANNON, Superintendent

PUBLIC HEARING TO ADOPT 2008-09 TENTATIVE MILLAGES & BUDGET

Chairman Carol Hilson called the meeting to order and opened the public hearing to receive comments from the audience on the proposed adoption of the tentative millages and budget for 2008-09.

Mr. Tim Bargeron, Assistant Superintendent for Business Services/CFO, discussed the district’s 1) roll-back rate, 2) millage trend, and 3) impact of proposed millage on homeowners.

1)The rolled-back rate looks at changing assessed values and attempts to explain the tax change when holding the assessed value constant. In most years, thegross taxable value (GTV) increases, so the rolled-back rate is less than the prior-year millage rate (i.e., the district levies less millage to get the same revenue because of the increase in the GTV). However, this year’s GTV dropped by $2,485,847,983 (from 25.77B to $23.28B) so the proposed millage rate (7.685), even though it increased over last year’s millage rate, will generate less revenue. The proposed total millage rate is 10.148% less than the rolled-back rate. If the district was in a position to levy the rolled-back rate (8.553), it would generate an additional $19.2 million in 2008-09.

2)This is the first increase in 6 years (since 2002-03). The total millage is increasing .195 mils, from 7.490 to 7.685. The discretionary portion of the millage is decreasing by .240, but this is offset by an increase in the required local effort millage of 0.435.

3)Impact of proposed millage on homeowner:

Last Year Taxes $1,358.59 This Year Taxes $1,098.96 (difference of $259.63)

Mr. Bargeron read the Resolution Determining Revenues and Millages Levied. The total millage rate to be levied was less than the roll-back rate computed pursuant to Section 200.065(1), F. S., by 10.148 percent.

Action:The superintendent recommended the Board approve the local required

effort millage (5.249 mills) as specified in the resolution (Miller/Hensley/Carried 3-0).

Action:The superintendent recommended the Board adopt the basic discretionary

millage (.498) as specified in the resolution (Hensley/Miller/Carried 3-0).

Action:The superintendent recommended the Board adopt the supplemental

discretionary millage (.188) as specified in the resolution (Miller/Hensley/Carried 3-0).

Action:The superintendent recommended the Board adopt the local capital improvement

millage (1.750) as specified in the resolution (Hensley/Miller/Carried 3-0).

Action:The superintendent recommended the Board adopt the tentative district

budget ($566,226,699.75) for SY 2008-09, with the final vote to occur

in September 2008 (Miller/Hensley/Carried 3-0).

Action:The superintendent recommended the Board adopt the resolution for

tentative millage rates 07-29-08A (Hensley/Miller/Carried 3-0).

Action:The superintendent recommended the Board adopt the resolution for

tentative budget 07-29-08B (Miller/Hensley/Carried 3-0).

One citizen, Mr. Mark Gotz, commented on the budget. Upon hearing no further comment, Chairman Hilson closed the public hearing.

CONSENT AGENDA

Action:The superintendent recommended the Board approve consent agenda

items #1 and #3 (item #2 was deleted) (Miller/Hensley/Carried 3-0).

  1. SR Personnel Agenda & Leaves
  2. TB RFP 08-30 Administrative Services Only (ASO) for Self Funded Medical and Fully Insured Medical and Dental(Deleted)
  3. OR Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory Agreement

ADJOURNMENT

After conducting all business scheduled to come before the Board, Chairman Hilson adjourned the July 29, 2008 special meeting at approximately 5:24 p.m.