LABELLE -- After months of workshops, the Hendry County School Board unanimously approved a $189,735,343 2022-2023 Fiscal Year Budget during its Sept. 6 meeting in LaBelle.

Sarah Cox, school district chief financial officer, told the board before the vote the school district was in a “great financial position” as she highlighted points that drove the General Fund to over $25 million by the end of fiscal year 2022.

Much of that increase was re-appropriated as about $7.1 million was a in the Restricted Fund, which now is available for spending.

“That is pretty hefty for us,” Cox said. “We’re glad to have that money.”

Recently received grant money also contributed to the increase to the tune of about $3 million at the end of fiscal year 2022 and delegated to the Special Revenue Fund.

“We saw a significant increase in the property tax value,” Cox said. “So that’s kind of driving our tax levies higher.

Additional students or an increase in Full Time Equivalent (FTE) funding throughout the school year could bring even more gains to the budget, she said.

“But we’re in a great financial position and we’re happy to present this budget to you,” she said.

The final budget has a General Fund balance of $128,657,104, with a Debt Service of $516,002, Capital Projects Fund of $10,960,009, Special Revenue Fund of $48,472,088 and Internal Service Fund of $1,120,140.

The board also approved in a 5-0 vote, Superintendent Michael Swindle’s recommendation on the 5.4031 millage rate for the budget based on the state rollback rate of 2.8760 mils and the local rollback rate of 1.819.7 mils with a total rollback rate increase is 15.28%.

The following millage levies including prior current adjustments is 3.165 mils, basic discretionary millage levy for general operating is 0.748 mils, and the basic discretionary millage levy for capital outlay is 1.500 mils for the total of 5.4031 millage rate.