Gadsden County commission approves half‑cent sales tax referendum to fund school repairs, maintenance

GADSDEN COUNTY, Fla. (WCTV) - Gadsden County Commissioners voted 5-0 Tuesday night on a half-cent sales tax referendum proposed by the school board in October to next year’s ballot.

The revenue from the sales tax will be used for school repairs and ongoing maintenance.

Gadsden County School District Superintendent Elijah Key says the county’s schools are between 50 and 70 years old and have not been properly maintained.

“AC has been out in these aging schools, and therefore, the half-cent sales tax makes sure that maintenance of AC, heating and anything else that breaks on these campuses are done, and that we have the money to do it,” the superintendent said.

The district already received millions from the state to build the new K-8 school; however, that funding is not intended for maintenance. Accordingly, Key says the tax is necessary.

“When the school has been built, it becomes the responsibilities of the citizens of Gadsden County to maintain it; therefore, the half-cent sales tax is going to help us maintain this building over the next 25-50 years,” Key said.

The school board is set to approve the money to start phase two of the new K-8 school at Tuesday night’s board meeting. Leaders say they expect construction to start in January, with the goal of having the school completed by the Fall of 2027.

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