New voter-approved Brevard school tax triggers sticker shock for some homeowners

A voter-approved school tax appearing on Brevard County property tax bills for the first time is generating sticker shock for some homeowners.

The special tax of $1 per $1,000 of taxable value ― with the revenue largely being used to boost the pay for teachers and other school employees ― can add hundreds of dollars to homeowners' property tax bills.

Brevard County voters approved the new school tax in the November 2022 election, with the support of 58.2% of the voters. The collection of the tax began with the 2023-24 property tax bill, which was sent to property owners this month.

The tax ― listed on tax notices as "BPS voted teacher pay" ― will last for four years, unless extended by voters. Under the plan, 80% of money collected from the tax is set aside for employee compensation, 16% is set aside for student programs and 4% is set aside for technology.

"This is the first time it’s shown up on the tax notice, and has generated numerous calls," Brevard County Tax Collector Lisa Cullen said.

Spending tax revenue: Millage goes toward Brevard Public Schools employee compensation, student programs

Cullen said her staff tries to educate callers with questions on what the new tax is and that it was approved by voters.

Cullen said the tax has the potential to generate more than $70 million in this tax cycle. She said the tax will average about $175 for properties with homestead exemptions and $240 for properties without homestead exemptions.

Teacher contract details: Contract agreement: Brevard Public School teachers set to get nearly 10% pay raise

Under the new tax, a teacher with 10 years of service will see an additional $3,651 in compensation this school year, and a teacher with five years of service will see an additional $2,191. The payments will be spread over 20 biweekly pay periods, and began with the Aug. 31 paycheck.

District support staff in the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades Local 1010 with 10 years of service will receive an additional $2,845 in compensation this school year, and those with five years of service will see an additional $1,423.

Approval at the polls: Brevard voters approve increasing school tax rate to support pay raises

Russell Bruhn, the district's chief strategic communications officer, said all Brevard Public Schools employees are eligible to take part in the added compensation, except for the superintendent, general counsel and five Brevard School Board members.

In a statement issued after details of the payments was finalized, Superintendent Mark Rendell said: “We are thankful to the voters for continuing to invest in Brevard Public Schools, because, without them, this would not be possible. We are focused on using these funds to help retain and attract top educators, while also providing our students with increased access to programs.”

Brevard Federation of Teachers President Anthony Colucci said the union appreciates the community "for stepping up and ensuring this pay increase for teachers. We are thrilled we will be able to address the compression issue that has been a district challenge for years. We are confident this will help with recruitment and retention of teachers in Brevard.”

Compression is when newly hired teachers are hired at a pay level near teachers with more years working in the district.

The new tax is separate from three other school-related property taxes that appear on tax bills.

Teacher contract approved

Separately, the Brevard School Board on Tuesday unanimously approved a new labor contract for teachers that includes a 2.5% salary increase for teachers, plus improved benefits and leave policies. The agreement, coupled with the voter-approved property tax increase, means teachers, on average, will see a 9.9% increase in their paychecks this year, according to Bruhn.

The union contract was supported by 97% of the teachers who voted on it.

But, during public comment at Tuesday's Brevard School Board meeting, Colucci told board members: "I'm asking you that you start planning for next year's raise now."

He cited soaring housing and homeowners' insurance costs, the vacancy rate among teacher positions, and Brevard teachers having average pay below the statewide average.

"We must close that gap," Colucci said. "We are in competition to bring teachers to our district, and can't afford to trail in pay."

Dave Berman is business editor at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Berman at dberman@floridatoday.com, on X at @bydaveberman and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dave.berman.54

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: New Brevard school tax appearing on bills residents are receiving