The Palm Coast Observer recently published the Chamber’s Letter to the Editor regarding our support for the renewal of the Half-Cent Sales Tax for Flagler Schools. Read the letter below:
Dear Editor:
The Palm Coast-Flagler Regional Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors recently voted to support the half-cent sales tax for Flagler Schools ballot initiative. We urge local voters to do the same.
The business community gets the result of our local education system, and we want future Flagler Schools graduates to be as prepared as possible for the future workforce.
It’s worth noting that this is not a new tax; it’s a continuation of an already existing sales tax, which has significantly benefited our local students.
As the father of a fifth grader, I have seen firsthand the benefits of the investments in technology at Flagler Schools using the existing sales tax funding.
Looking ahead, Flagler Schools has crafted a well-thought-out plan on administering the funding, if Flagler County voters approve the ballot measure.
As school safety continues to be at the forefront of parents’ minds, it’s comforting to know that future half-cent sales tax funding will be used to strengthen school safety and security.
Approximately $80 million will be raised via the half-cent sales tax over the next 10 years. This funding will provide the school district and teachers the tools they need to provide high quality education to our children.
The sales tax is also paid by tourists and snowbirds, which reduces the burden of school facilities on our local taxpayers.
If voters decline the half-cent sales tax for Flagler Schools ballot initiative, it will have a devastating effect on our local education system.
With some local education performance metrics declining, now is NOT the time to be cheap. The business community supports continuing to invest in Flagler Schools, and you should too.
Greg Blosé
Palm Coast
Editor’s note: Blosé is president and CEO of the Palm Coast-Flagler Regional Chamber of Commerce
Original source can be found here.
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