Monroe County Schools has announced a town hall meeting to discuss the upcoming ESPLOST referendum.

The discussion will be held Oct. 16, at 7 p.m. at the Monroe County Fine Arts Center.

Superintendent Dr. Jim Finch will present on the necessity of continuing the penny sales tax, while ESPLOST Committee Members will be available to answer questions.

The ESPLOST, a 1% sales tax approved by local voters, funds capital improvements for schools without raising property taxes. These funds are not used for salaries or daily operations. Since its inception in 1999, the ESPLOST has supported the development of strong, safe, and modern learning environments.

The tax is not new but a continuation of an existing levy in Monroe County, renewed every five years.

According to a release from the school system, if voters approve the extension, the penny tax will be collected for another five-year period once the current ESPLOST reaches its $42 million cap.

With average monthly collections of $650,000, and an anticipated $250,000 monthly increase due to the opening of Buc-ee’s, the funds will support various projects.

These include constructing new schools, modernizing facilities, enhancing safety, expanding instructional spaces, upgrading athletic facilities, and improving technology and instructional resources. Additionally, the funds would potentially cover land acquisition for future growth, debt service, new vehicles, critical equipment, and renovations.