At its board meeting on Sept. 10, the Escambia Children’s Trust opted for a rollback millage rate rather than maintaining the current tax level. The meeting combined both a preliminary tax hearing and regular board session.
After extensive discussion, the board unanimously voted to adopt the rollback rate of 0.03798 mills, representing a decrease from earlier proposals. Executive Director Lindsey Cannon explained the reasoning behind this decision.
- “What I will tell you is we had some good news just today,” Cannon reported. “In fact, from the Early Learning Coalition, although they’re sustaining a cut, it’s about half of what they thought it was going to be and the gap that they’re experiencing they were thinking before would be 400 to 500 kids. They’ve been able to look at that through at attrition to see, and the gap would be around 140 children.”
Board member Stephanie White expressed support for the rollback. “I would prefer the rollback rate. I feel like that we just like what Ms. Cannon said that we’re going to have, we have some great news in the community and that we’ve also been able to recapture some funds, but I also want the public to know that the trust is making a difference.”
Community Voices Administrative Concerns
The public comment period brought forward pointed criticism about the organization’s spending priorities. Citizens questioned reports suggesting high administrative costs versus direct services to children.
Michael Waldo, a concerned taxpayer, challenged the board directly: “From my research, I will quote from a WEAR report dated May 21st… In that report, 88% of the expenditures by this board was for salary and benefits. I’m going to refer to that as administrative. Thus, about 11% went to actually benefiting the children.”…