CRESTVIEW — The Okaloosa County School district tax rate, which has received the School Board's initial approval, will go no higher this year. The board unanimously, and without discussion, approved the 7.441 millage rate and $361.8 million budget for the 2014-15 school year after no one from the public came forward to address the issue.
The district’s millage, or tax rate, is down slightly compared to last year because the county saw some property value growth compared to last year. For residents who don’t see their home value change, this will equate to a slight drop in taxes; people who saw their home values go up will pay a little more this year than last year.
The budget has increased by about $9 million, mostly because of a predicted spike in student enrollment. The money will be tied up in expenses that come with additional students and won’t just beef up the bottom line, Chief Financial Officer Rita Scallan said.
The board will officially approve the budget and millage rate in September.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa School Board OKs tentative millage rate