Budget Update & Facts
Published March 17, 2011
The resolution that would allow residents to vote on a proposed sales tax increase was pulled from the Williamson County Commission agenda during its regular meeting March 14. No deadline was given as to when the measure would be considered again.
The Williamson County Board of Education will hold a work session Thursday, March 17 beginning at 6 p.m. The Board is scheduled to vote on the budget during its regular monthly meeting March 28.
The information below was prepared for PTO Presidents and principals on March 11 to continue to educate families on the WCS budget and the budget process.
Williamson County Schools Budget Facts
Did You Know?
· WCS has grown by approximately 4,000 students over the past five years for a current school enrollment of 31,195. Projected enrollment for 2011-12 is 32,048, an increase of 853 students.
· The State has a school funding formula called the Basic Education Program (BEP). Simply put, it’s based on each county’s sales tax generation and property tax base (assessment). Some have called this the county’s “ability to pay.” WCS received approximately $3,003 per student based on information from the state (2009-10). In contrast, Bledsoe County received approximately $5,807.
· Most school systems receive the majority of any county’s locally generated revenue. Williamson County is no different. However, Williamson County’s property tax rate is among the lowest in the state ranked at 39 out of 95 counties (County Technical Assistance Service, CTAS, 2010). Williamson County’s rate is 2.31 compared to Rutherford County at 2.74; Davidson County at 4.13; and Maury County at 2.65.
· The per pupil expenditure in WCS is $7,821; FSSD is $11,923; Metro is $10,077; Rutherford is $7,707; Maury is $8,268 (the most current data from 2009-10 as found on the State Report Card). The state average is $8,773.
· WCS is presenting a 2011-12 General Purpose School Budget of approximately $239,300,000 to the School Board for approval.
· WCS currently needs at least an additional $8 million in revenue to fund the proposed 2011-12 budget.
· The Williamson County Commission is considering approving a public referendum to increase the sales tax in Williamson County from 2.25 to 2.75 percent on each dollar. For the school district, this increase will generate approximately $7.8 million, based on last year’s sales tax collections. A like amount of revenue would go the municipalities where the tax is collected. Fairview is already at 2.75, so there would be no increase in Fairview.
· Sales tax rates in surrounding counties include: Rutherford County is 2.75; Davidson County is 2.25; Maury County is 2.25 and Dickson County is 2.75 (County Technical Assistance Service, CTAS, 2010).
· Williamson County is known for its tremendous tourism base, and according to the Williamson County Convention and Visitors Bureau, revenue generated by tourists save the average Williamson County taxpayer $346 a year in taxes.
· The majority of Williamson County households do not have school aged children, but the quality of the educational system attracts businesses and homeowners to our community.
· Williamson County Schools must present its budget to the County Mayor by April 1 of each year. The budget is not voted on until July.
Below is the remaining time line for the budget process and other important dates:
1. Monday, March 28 at 6:30 p.m. Board of Education to vote on WCS budget for 2011-12 school year. Meeting in the Auditorium of Administrative Complex. When approved, budget goes to County Mayor’s office to begin the review process of County Commission.
2. Monday, April 11 at 5:30 p.m. Joint meeting of the County Commission Education and Budget Committees for first presentation of the WCS budget as approved by the School Board. Meeting in the Auditorium of Administrative Complex.
3. Monday, April 25 at 5:30 p.m. Second budget review by the Education Committee of the County Commission. Meeting in the Auditorium of Administrative Complex.
4. Tuesday, May 10 at 3:30 p.m. Second budget review by the Budget Committee of the County Commission. Meeting in the Auditorium of Administrative Complex.
5. Tuesday, June 7 at 5:30 p.m. Public hearing of WCS and other department budgets by County Commission. Meeting in the Auditorium of Administrative Complex.
6. Monday, July 11 at 9 a.m. County Commission meets to approve all budgets including WCS budget. Meeting in the Auditorium of Administrative Complex.