The Hall County Board of Education approved the FY2025 budget and set the millage rate at Monday’s meeting.
The new millage rate was set at 14.99 mills, 0.65 lower than last year but still a 3.48% property tax increase for residents according to Superintendent Will Schofield.
“I think the greatest misconception was that we weren’t going to lower the millage rate,” Schofield said. “We said from day one we were going to advertise it at the current and we have every intention of lowering it and that’s what we did.”
Roughly 50 citizens showed up to the meeting, with nearly 20 speaking. The main point of contention for citizens was the property tax increase for residents.
Schofield did make it a point to mention that as of the most recent numbers (FY2023), Hall County spends $10,569 per-pupil. This is below the state average of $11,414 per-pupil.
“You can’t spend like drunken sailors and be $900 below the state average at the same time,” Schofield said.
The budget went from $344.2 million to $350.8 million, a 1.93% increase.
With the beginning balance at $85 million, total credits stood at $435.8 million, a 5.22% increase.
The general fund sees $162.8 million, or 46.4%, come from local sources and $187.5 million come from state sources.
The largest expenditure comes from instruction, at $243.1 million. This pays most of the salaries in the Hall County School System.
“87-88% goes to people,” Schofield said. “3,700 individuals get up every morning to provide an education for our 28,000 boys and girls and that’s where the vast majority of our budget goes.”
Some of the “large item” expenditures came from $2,500 certified raises and $1,000 classified raises, totalling $8 million. Health insurance premium increases totalled $6.2 million, which Schofield said could not be helped as the state tells the school systems which health insurance to get.
Drew Echols, who is in line to take over as State Senator for District 49 which encompasses Hall County, also spoke at the meeting, citing the importance of maintaining the agriculture program in Hall County schools.
“If we don’t train someone to feed this country, it’s going to be Mexico and China,” Echols said. “It’s a matter of food security and food security is national security and paying for it sometimes hurts.”
The approved budget will go into effect immediately after the adoption on Monday night.
