Herald-Tribune intern staff writer Michaela Galligan made some great points about how passage of Amendment 3 could impact county funding ("Sarasota County braces for impact of Florida property tax change vote," July 30).
In addition to what Galligan outlined, and what many commenters on Amendment 3 have overlooked, is how its passage would have significant consequences for schools, students and their families – even with the exemption of the school tax.
With cuts to county funding, many school-related services could be reduced or ended.
This could include:
- Partnerships with city and county first responder and emergency management services supporting school safety infrastructure, including School Resource Officers.
- Partnerships with local government-funded health, wellness and education services (including mental health).
- Child care, including Head Start and afterschool programs.
- Local government-funded food banks and nutrition programs.
In addition, schools that are already financially strapped will incur higher costs if fees and charges are increased by providers to recoup lost revenue.
It’s clear that even though school taxes
are exempt, many schools, students and families will be negatively impacted if Amendment 3 is approved.
Jill Lewis-Spector, Sarasota
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Property tax change will still affect Sarasota's schools | Letters
