KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Osceola County voters will decide this November whether to approve a proposed 1-mill operational property tax for the School District of Osceola County after the Osceola County Board of County Commissioners voted Monday to place the measure on the Nov. 3 General Election ballot.

The action, approved during the Commission’s Aug. 3 meeting, was required under Florida law and does not reflect the County Commission’s support or opposition to the proposal.

Under Section 1011.73, Florida Statutes, school boards may ask voters to consider an operational millage referendum. Once that request is made, county commissioners are legally required to call the election and direct the Supervisor of Elections to include the measure on the ballot.

County officials stressed that the vote was a procedural requirement rather than a policy decision.

School District Superintendent Dr. Mark Shanoff addressed commissioners during their July 6 meeting, emphasizing that the referendum is solely an initiative of the School Board of Osceola County.

“It’s important for me to share that this is coming from the School Board of Osceola County, and not any other elected body,” Shanoff said. “This is presented to the Commission as a ministerial act and not as any endorsement of any kind from any other body.”

If approved by voters, the 1-mill operational levy would provide additional funding for the School District of Osceola County. The School District—not the County Commission—would administer all revenue generated by the tax.

Commissioners did not debate the merits of the proposal, noting that state law leaves the decision to voters. Information about how the School District intends to use the funding, if approved, is available through the School District of Osceola County.

The referendum will appear on the ballot during the General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, giving Osceola County voters the final say on whether to authorize the additional operating millage for the School District.

Referéndum sobre Impuesto Escolar Llegará a la Boleta Electoral Tras Acción Requerida de los Comisionados del Condado de Osceola

KISSIMMEE, Florida — Los votantes del Condado de Osceola decidirán el 3 de noviembre de 2026 si aprueban un impuesto operacional de 1 mill para el Distrito Escolar, luego de que la Junta de Comisionados del Condado aprobara, como lo exige la ley estatal, incluir la medida en la boleta de las Elecciones Generales.

De acuerdo con la Sección 1011.73 de los Estatutos de Florida, una vez que una junta escolar solicita un referéndum de este tipo, la Comisión del Condado está obligada a convocar la elección y ordenar a la Supervisora de Elecciones que coloque la medida en la boleta. Los funcionarios del condado señalaron que la acción fue únicamente un requisito legal y no representa respaldo ni oposición a la propuesta.

Durante una reunión previa, el superintendente del Distrito Escolar del Condado de Osceola, Dr. Mark Shanoff, explicó que la iniciativa proviene exclusivamente de la Junta Escolar y que la votación de la Comisión constituye un acto administrativo requerido por la ley.

Si los votantes aprueban el referéndum, los ingresos generados por el impuesto serán administrados por el Distrito Escolar del Condado de Osceola, no por la Junta de Comisionados del Condado.