Columnists
09/20/2026 · Washington County
The Smallest Possible Start Is Still a Start
When a task feels too big, don’t demand motivation from yourself. Choose the next physical action—the one so small it’s almost impossible to argue with.
The Beautiful Trap in Frost’s “Stopping by Woods”
Robert Frost’s snowy little poem is often treated as a cozy picture of winter. Read closely, and it becomes something sharper: a masterclass in how temptation can sound gentle, reasonable, and almost impossible to resist.
09/19/2026
The Most Generous Thing You Can Give Is Your Attention
Simone Weil did not think attention was a productivity trick or a pathway to personal success. She thought it was a moral act—and that idea becomes startlingly useful the moment someone else is speaking.
09/19/2026
Washington’s Tariff Habit Meets the Household Budget
The administration keeps treating tariffs like a remote-control device for the global economy. Families, manufacturers, and foreign governments will decide whether that theory survives contact with prices.
09/19/2026
The Secret Credit Card, the Ex’s Hoodie, and Other Relationship Fire Alarms
Two readers are trying to keep the peace by avoiding the actual problem. Unfortunately, avoidance is not peace; it’s a roommate with a flamethrower.
09/19/2026
Lanesboro, Minnesota: A Tiny Town With a Trail, a Trout Stream, and Very Good Pie
Take the back road to Lanesboro for a cheap, cheerful weekend of bike rides, limestone bluffs, and food that does not require a reservation made three months ago. The surprise: this quiet Root River town has a serious theater scene.
09/20/2026
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Stay informed about the proceedings of the Washington County Board of County Commissioners by accessing our archives of meeting agendas and minutes. These documents provide a comprehensive record of discussions, decisions, and actions taken by the Board. Agendas are typically posted prior to each meeting, outlining the topics to be discussed. Minutes are posted after the meetings have concluded, summarizing the key outcomes and resolutions. We encourage all citizens to review these materials to understand how your county government is working for you.
Back To School 2026-2027
Back To School 2026-2027 - Washington County School District Announcement! Attention all Full Time Benefit Eligible Employees Back To School 2026-2027 This is a guide to help schedule appointments and trips to minimize your student’s absences and support learning! (Getting Started Guide for Parents and Guardians) English | Spanish Parent Portal Guide (Click Here) Dress Code Student Code of Conduct Free Breakfast/Lunch
Tax-Neutral Referendum
Tax-Neutral Referendum - Washington County School District Washington County School District Quality Education Today for a Better Tomorrow Announcement! Attention all Full Time Benefit Eligible Employees Tax-Neutral Referendum Home Departments Finance Tax-Neutral Referendum The Facts NO EXTRA TAX. MORE FLEXIBILITY. This referendum does not raise your property tax. It does not add a new millage. It does not create a new statewide property-tax law. It asks voters to let Washington County School District use money the district already collects in a different way: move up to 0.75 mills out of the capital bucket and into the operating bucket so it can be used for people and school operations. Capital down up to 0.75 mills. Operating up up to 0.75 mills. Same tax. Different use. On this year’s taxable value, that shift is about $1.35 million before retirement and benefits (estimate). That figure is based on up to 0.75 mills. The district may use less. WHAT IS THE TAX-NEUTRAL REFERENDUM? Washington County voters will decide on November 3, 2026 whether the school district may reduce up to 0.75 mills in capital taxes and increase up to 0.75 mills in operating taxes. If approved: The shift may begin July 2027 It lasts up to four years It must go back to voters every four years It must appear on a general-election ballot Instead of sitting in the capital bucket, those operating dollars can be used for: Teachers Paraprofessionals Office staff Maintenance teams Bus drivers Other district employees The district intends this as salary on the supplement schedule, not a bonus. Salary can count toward retirement. Pay does not start on election night. The board still adopts the schedule after the vote. WHY DOES THE SCHOOL DISTRICT NEED A VOTE? Florida law splits school money into two buckets. Capital funds pay for facilities, maintenance, equipment, certain technology, furniture, and similar project needs. Operating funds pay for staff, utilities, instruction, programs, and day-to-day school operations. One bucket cannot pay the other bucket’s bills. Capital money cannot be used for salaries unless voters approve a referendum. This is the reason this question is on the ballot. WILL PROJECTS STILL GET FUNDED? Yes. This vote does not erase capital work. Remaining capital sources can still fund projects, including the half-cent sales tax while it is in effect. That sales tax is a separate source and would be a separate voter question later. Recent example: the district added 6 buses to the fleet. WHAT WILL APPEAR ON THE BALLOT? Title: The School Board of Washington County, Florida Ad Valorem Millage Election Question: Beginning July 2027, for up to four years, the Washington County School Board shall be provided with tax-neutral flexible funding to reduce ad valorem taxes up to .75 mills for capital funding; and add up to .75 mills of ad valorem taxes for operating funding. This referendum will support high-quality staff and academic outcomes; all without increasing taxes. YES FOR APPROVAL · NO FOR REJECTION WHEN DO I VOTE? Election Day is November 3, 2026. Check registration, early voting, vote-by-mail, and your polling place with the Washington County Supervisor of Elections. Frequently Asked Questions Myth vs. Truth Myth: This referendum raises property taxes. Truth: It does not add a tax. It lets the district move up to 0.75 mills from the capital bucket to the operating bucket. Capital down. Operating up. Same tax. Different use. Myth: The district is asking for a new millage. Truth: This is a local millage shift, not a new statewide property-tax law. Myth: Staff would get a one-time bonus. Truth: The district intends these operating dollars as salary on the supplement schedule, not a bonus. Salary can count toward retirement. Myth: If this passes, project money disappears. Truth: Capital and operating stay separate. Remaining capital sources can still fund projects, including the half-cent sales tax while it is in effect. Recent example: 6 new buses. Myth: The money hits paychecks the night of the election. Truth: Vote November 3, 2026. If approved, the shift may begin July 2027 and lasts up to four years. The School Board still adopts the supplement schedule. Myth: This is permanent. Truth: It lasts up to four years and must go back to voters to continue. How much money would increase in operating and decrease in capital? Voters would authorize a tax-neutral shift of up to 0.75 mills. Capital millage may decrease by up to 0.75 mills. Operating millage may increase by up to 0.75 mills. Up to means a ceiling, not a requirement to use the full 0.75 every year. On this year’s taxable value, up to 0.75 mills is about $1.35 million before retirement and benefits. That is an estimate. The dollar amount can change as property values change, and the district may use less than the full 0.75 mills. Those operating dollars are intended for teachers, paraprofessionals, office staff, maintenance teams, bus drivers, and other district employees. Does this impact the tax rate the School Board votes on? The School Board still sets the district budget and votes on millage each year, within state law. This referendum does not add a new tax rate. If voters approve it, the Board may reduce capital millage by up to 0.75 mills and increase operating millage by up to 0.75 mills. Any operating increase from this question is offset by an equal capital decrease. That is why it is tax-neutral. The Board would still hold its regular millage and budget hearings. This vote only gives permission to make that equal shift. Facebook RSS Address: 750 Sinclair St, Chipley, FL 32428 - Phone: 850-638-6222 - Fax: 850-638-6226 Terms of Use | Privacy Policy Powered By: The Digital Bell®
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