Half Cent Sales Tax

A referendum on the November 5, 2024 ballot will ask voters to establish a half-cent sales tax to fund district capital needs, such as school construction, expansion, remodeling and maintenance, for ten years.

School Facilities Tour

 

Key Points

  • The half-cent sales tax would provide a crucial source of funding for school construction, renovation, expansion and maintenance.
  • Without the half-cent sales tax revenue, necessary new school construction, expansion to existing schools and routine maintenance would remain delayed.
  • Over the past two decades, the Florida Legislature has dramatically decreased funding for school construction and maintenance programs.
  • Due to decreased funding sources, MCPS is only able to fund approximately 20% of needed school construction and maintenance projects. For more information click here: MCPS Financial Picture
  • The oldest operating school in Marion County was built in 1914, 46% of MCPS schools are over 50 years old and 78% of MCPS schools are over 30 years old. The age and functionality of these schools lead to increased use of portable classrooms. At the conclusion of the 2024-2025 school year, 100% of the portables owned by MCPS will be older than 20 years old. For more information click here: MCPS Portables
  • Revenue from a half-cent sales tax could only be used for capital expenditures and cannot be used for general expenses, such as administrative costs and employee salaries. 
  • Approximately 270 people move to Marion County each week and enrollment in Marion County Public Schools has increased by 11% in the last 5 years.
  • An estimated 30% of the half-cent sales tax would be paid by tourists and travelers.  

History

  • Marion County voters approved a half-cent sales tax for schools in November of 2004 with 53% of voters approving.
  • The previous half-cent sales tax was in place for five years from January 2005 through December of 2009.
  • Revenue from the previous half-cent sales tax was over $111 million and helped to fund the construction of four new schools: Horizon Academy at Marion Oaks, Legacy Elementary School, Liberty Middle School and Marion Oaks Elementary School.
  • The last new school constructed by MCPS was Legacy Elementary School, which was partially funded by half-cent sales tax revenue. Legacy Elementary School opened 11 years ago.

Benefits

  • Studies have concluded that students in newer and more modern school buildings perform at higher levels that students in substandard school buildings.
  • Experts agree that newer and more functional school buildings lead to higher student and teacher morale, lower student and teacher absenteeism, higher levels of effort and increased job satisfaction.
  • Revenue from a half-cent sales tax could fund the construction of new schools, school expansions and school remodeling, with potential improvements to all schools.
  • Revenue from a half-cent sales tax would drastically cut the average age of our schools and reduce portable classroom usage.
  • If the half-cent sales tax is not approved, building and maintenance program needs will exceed projected revenues by more than $2 billion through 2038.

Ballot Language

School Capital Outlay Sales Surtax to Improve Safety and the Learning Environment

To retain high-quality teachers, reduce classroom overcrowding, and improve safety and security by expanding, constructing, and improving school facilities, with collected revenues shared according to Florida law with eligible public charter schools based on their proportion of total school district enrollment, with oversight by an independent volunteer committee, shall the school district of Marion County levy a one-half cent sales surtax for ten years to fund such activities for Marion County schools?

_____   For the Half-Cent Tax

_____   Against the Half-Cent Tax

Ballot Language en español

 

Important Dates

Voter Registration Deadline:  October 7, 2024

Early Voting:  October 21st, 2024 to November 2nd, 2024

Election Day:  November 5, 2024

 

Resources

Half-Cent Sales Tax FAQ

How would MCPS use the half-cent sales tax revenue? Why is it on the ballot on November 5th? Learn more here.