Leon County voters overwhelmingly chose to create a Children’s Services Council. The new board comes with the creation of a new tax.
The council was hotly contested in the run up to the election, with City and County leadership split joining opposing groups on either side of the issue.
But when voters went to the polls, they chose to launch a Children’s Services Council, which has the stated goal of improving early education readiness, childrens’ health, and providing nutritional assistance. It passed with nearly 66 percent approval, and will be funded by an increase to Leon County’s property tax.
Proponents, like Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil, claim the Council will decrease youth arrests. Opponents argued a new independent taxing authority comprised of unelected members, half appointed by the governor, would be unaccountable.
