Half-cent sales tax has raised $643 million for schools
The half-cent sales tax has generated more than $643 million since it was approved by Lee County voters for school capital outlay seven years ago.
Lee County voters approved the half-cent sales tax in 2018. It runs through December 2028.
Of the $643.08 million received, the district has expended $524.49 million, according to Independent Sales Surtax Oversight Committee Chair Christopher Simoneau.
The funds are used for construction – $204,516,183, 39%; maintenance – $154,275,620, 29%; technology – $105,078,860 – 20% and safety – $60,620,007, 12%.
The safety portion has been used for weapons detection, intrusion detection and security cameras, he said adding the district does not go into the detail of where the safety investments are made.
For new construction, schools built include Lehigh Acres Middle, Gateway High School and Amanecer Elementary School.
Renovations include Lehigh Senior High School, Lemuel Teal Middle School, and Franklin Park Elementary School.
Simoneau said the tax has added 6,800 new and/or renovated student stations.
Every school has been touched as far as maintenance, with more than 530 deferred maintenance projects. Those include air conditioning, flooring, roofs, stage curtains, windows, and doors.
The money also been used to purchase Chromebooks, Promethean interactive panels, access control and server upgrades.
“I am pleased to report that the utilization of sales tax has been compliant with the referendum that was originally created,” Simoneau said.
He shared some of the concerns that came from the committee level during Tuesday’s workshop. Those include sustainability of the sales tax program, community awareness of impact, slowing revenues and economic uncertainty, investing in short term vs. long term projects and marketing and advocacy with 3.5 years remaining.
Simoneau said the sales tax program is generating a significant amount of money annually.
“We have three years left on the sales tax. What is the future plan if the sales tax expires in 2028?” he said. “What happens to programs and technology, security and building that is supported by the sales tax?”
The slowing down of revenue also is a concern, Simoneau said, as there was a little bit of a decline in the revenue generated from the first quarter of this year.
Board member Armor Persons said they obviously have to keep building schools.
“Approximately 20% — the tourist are paying 20% of all of our capital outlay for all the projects we are doing,” he said.
Board member Debbie Jordan also shared concern about what will happen if in 2028.
“As far as sunsetting, I definitely believe we should not be doing that. It took a minute, a year, and a half to get it out there and get people to vote on it,” she said, adding that they should make a decision sooner rather than later on what that looks like.
Superintendent Dr. Denise Carlin said there is plenty of time for the board to have the conversation about what decision should be made about the tax.