The Collier County school board’s budget discussion is dominated by hostility and silence.
The Collier County School Board meeting this week served as a cautionary tale about the dangers of arriving unprepared.
A reprimand was given, according to a recent article by Alexandra McNamee and Eileen Kelly of WGCU.
Silence fell, but that’s what happens when two inexperienced board members neglect their assignments.
Chairwoman Kelly Lichter remarked, “I’m having a hard time understanding what you guys are bringing to the table here today.”
Lichter was visibly irritated during this week’s district final budget hearing. We started the budget process in December. In order for the members, who are the primary decision makers, to become acquainted with one of their most significant responsibilities while holding this elected office, there have been meetings and workshops.
Rather than voting in support of the increased millage rate as a show of unity, Jerry Rutherford and Tim Moshier acknowledged there was a bit of a learning curve. Along with Lichter, Rutherford and Moshier were newly elected to the board in November 2022.
“I must confess, the budget is my greatest challenge,” Rutherford said.
He continued by saying that it would be best if he simply abstained from voting because he was ignorant of the nuances of the budget.
Rutherford declared, “I’ll let you all figure it out and I won’t vote.”
It did not sit well with Lichter.
Lichter stated, “You can’t not vote for something.”
Tensions continued to rise.
“So, taking the easy road and just voting no to the proposed plan isn’t going to cut it here today for me sorry. So if you guys have something to offer, I think this board should be able to hear what you have as solutions,” Lichter said.
Rutherford broke the 22-second silence by stating that internal cuts should be made, but he made no recommendations for Lichter.
“What your saying is since I haven’t examined all the 32 different areas to see if there could be some more reduction there that I’m the bad guy because I haven’t done this. Ok, I haven’t done this. I’m sorry, but I still think this is the way to go,” Rutherford said.
“Well, that’s what we are doing, that’s the whole point of the work session,” Lichter retorted.
Rutherford and Moshier ultimately voted against lowering the millage rate from the existing amount to 4.290.
The basis for a mill is one dollar for each $1,000 in taxable assessed value of real estate. Business owners and temporary residents will notice a minor rise in their school tax payment, while Collier County residents who qualify for the Homestead Exemption will see a slight decrease in their tax cost.
The original article can be found on WGCU.