2 weeks Ago
The Aiken County Board of Education gave first-reading approval April 22 to a proposed $289.9 million budget for 2025-2026 that includes a 20 mil increase on non-residential property taxes. If finalized at a second reading scheduled for May 27, it would be the first millage increase for school operations since the 2013-2014 budget year.
The 20-mil increase would not raise property taxes on a primary residence because Act 388, a state law passed in 2006, provides school districts with state revenue from sales taxes. However, the tax on property assessed at 4%, such as private agriculture, would increase by $80 per $100,000 in value. The tax on property assessed at 6%, such as rental property, corporate agriculture, personal vehicles, boats, and aircraft, would increase by $12 per $10,000 in assessed value.
The tax on business personal property, manufacturing property, and utilities, which are assessed at 10.5%, would increase by $210 per $100,000 in assessed value. The current school operating millage is 134.
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“Tray” Traxler, III the district’s chief officer of finance, the state average millage for school district operations is more than 220 mils. “Where we are today is about 40 percent behind the state average. If we increase by 20 mils we’re still 30 percent behind the state average,” said board member Brian Silas.
“The penny sales tax that we just approved really has nothing to do with our operating funds. I think it’s worth pointing that out. That’s so we can upgrade our facilities and give our students the facilities to learn in that they deserve,” Silas said.
Traxler pointed out that the penny sales tax, in addition to providing funding for capital improvements, also provides some property tax relief on debt service. “So, there is some tax reduction that results from that penny sales tax,” Traxler said. The board’s May 13 meeting will be a public hearing with opportunity for input by the public and other stakeholders.
The proposed budget increases every teacher’s pay by $2,500 plus an annual step increase, and implements 90 percent of the increases recommended by a salary study completed in late 2024. “The vast majority of this is being spent in the buildings, on teaching the students. More than 90 percent,” said board chairman Cameron Nuessle.
The vote on the motion to approve first reading of the “proposed, tentative version” of the budget was made by John Bradley and seconded by Patrice Rhinehart-Jackson. Board members Cameron Nuessle, Deborah Tyler, Brian Silas, Barry Moulton, Liz Morris, John Bradley and Patrice Rhinehart-Jackson voted in favor of the motion. Board members Jim Broome and Colen Lindell voted against the motion.
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