CCPS Tax-Neutral Referendum on August Primary Ballot

By Jennifer Kupiec, Collier County Public Schools

We are nearing the primary election Aug. 18, and voters this year have the opportunity to affect the education of our community’s children for years to come. On the ballot, voters will notice a Collier County Public Schools’ (CCPS) tax-neutral referendum. Although it will not result in any tax increase, the referendum will help maintain and improve our status as an academically high-performing district.

Historically, state funding has not covered the costs of education. Twenty Florida counties have passed tax-increase referendums to help with the funding crisis. These 20 districts represent 65% of all the students in Florida, which is now the third most populous state behind California and Texas. To be clear, the August referendum will be tax-neutral, meaning it will not result in a tax increase.

Public school districts utilize two types of funds: capital and operating. Think of them as buckets, if you will. Local, state, and federal taxes fund both buckets, with laws restricting how the money is used. Capital funds pay for projects like facilities, equipment, and debt payments. Operating dollars allow us to recruit and retain a high-quality staff, and pay for student transportation, athletics, supplies, utilities, and more. Funds from the capital “bucket” cannot be used to support the operating “bucket” without approval from the public. A vote is required through a referendum in order to provide this flexibility.

In 2008, CCPS proposed its first tax-neutral referendum, which was approved by voters, allowing the district flexibility to utilize capital funding to support operations. In 2012, voters renewed the referendum, which ended in 2016. For the past four years, CCPS has been able to utilize a reserve budget for shortfalls, but that reserve will soon run out.

With funding flexibility during the last 12 years, student achievement at CCPS has soared. The Florida Department of Education named CCPS an “A” school district for three straight years, making us one of only 11 of the 67 districts in the state to earn that distinction. CCPS now ranks fifth in the state – up from 33rd in 2011 – and our high school graduation rate is the highest it ever has been, at 91.9%.

To maintain CCPS as a highperforming school district and meet the needs of students, we need flexibility to use capital dollars for operating expenses. The referendum, if approved, will span up to four years, beginning July 2021. It will reduce ad valorem taxes up to .35 mills for capital funding and shift ad valorem taxes up to .35 mills for operating expenses. It also will provide charter schools with their proportionate share, as required by law, and allow us to maintain high-quality staff and programs, all without increasing taxes.

With the community’s support, CCPS can continue its positive momentum to ensure the children of Collier County are college, career, and life ready. For more information, visit www.collierschools.com/ referendum.

Get Out and Vote on Aug. 18

Election Day is approaching, and if you are new to Collier County or a newly turned 18-year-old, be sure to register to vote by July 20. Once registered, you can participate in the regular election on Tuesday, Aug. 18. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

To accommodate busy schedules, early voting will be held Aug. 8-15 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Locations are listed below.

Mail-in ballots also are offered, and a request must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Aug. 8 at colliervotes.com/Vote-by-Mail/Vote-byMail-Ballot-Request-Form or call 239-252- VOTE (8683)

Vote-by-mail ballots must be returned to the supervisor of elections office at 3750 Enterprise Ave. in Naples by 7 p.m. on Aug. 18; or by 6 p.m. at the North Collier Government Service Center, 2335 Orange Blossom Dr., Naples. Completed ballots also can be dropped off at early voting sites Aug. 8-15.

Early voting locations:

• Collier County Government Complex, 3311 Tamiami Tr. E., Naples

• Everglades City Hall, 102 Copeland Ave. N., Everglades City

• Golden Gate Community Center, 4701 Golden Gate Pkwy., Naples

• Immokalee Community Park, 321 N. First St., Immokalee

• Collier County Library Headquarters, 2385 Orange Blossom Dr., Naples

• Marco Island Library, 210 S. Heathwood Dr., Marco Island

• Norris Center, 755 8th Ave. S., Naples

• North Collier Regional Park, 15000 Livingston Rd., Naples

• Supervisor of Elections Office, 3750 Enterprise Ave., Naples

For a complete list of candidates go to CollierVotes.com.

VOTE JIM 2020

for Collier County Clerk of Courts

Jim Molenaar, Esq., MBA

Strong Leadership in Times of Change

As a former Law Enforcement Officer, Asst. State Attorney, and Sr. Legal Counsel for the Collier Clerk of Courts. I have vast experience investigating fraud, waste, and abuse of taxpayers’ dollars. I am the most qualified candidate to guard Collier County’s $1.4 billion budget.

VoteJim2020.com

Facebook.com/VoteJim2020

Twitter.com/real_molenaar

Instagram.com/voteforjim2020

Paid for by James D. Molenaar (R) Candidate for Collier County Clerk of Courts and Comptroller.