The Catoosa County school board is proposing to maintain its millage rate for fiscal year 2025, which would result in about a 30% increase in its portion of property taxes for homeowners.
Increasing school system costs, mainly from state-required contributions to employee insurance, is the reason given by district officials, according to a media statement released Wednesday.
“In the last two years, the district’s insurance expenses have increased by approximately $10.5 million,” for the system’s approximately 1,300 employees, Chance Nix, school superintendent, said in a follow-up email.
Other increased expenses, Nix said, included state mandates the system is required to fund and staff, a 15% increase in utility costs and inflationary increases in diesel fuel, custodial supplies and school meals.