Three County Ballot Questions: What Wellington Voters Are Deciding on Schools, Parks and Libraries

Along with three statewide constitutional amendments, the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot carries three Palm Beach County questions. One would continue the school district's existing 1-mill property tax. The other two would let the county borrow up to $280 million for parks and up to $175 million for libraries through general obligation bonds. Here's what each one does, what it would cost, and what supporters and skeptics have said, so you can make up your own mind.

1. Continuing the school property tax

The ballot title is "Referendum to Continue Ad Valorem Levy for School Safety, Teachers and Operational Needs." County voters first approved the 1-mill levy in 2018 and renewed it in 2022. This vote would extend it four more years, from July 1, 2027, to June 30, 2031. The district stresses that "this is a renewal of an existing measure and not a new tax."

• What it costs: 1 mill is $1 for every $1,000 of taxable value. CBS12 calculated about $386 a year on the county's average home value of $386,000, and reported the levy brought in $361 million last year.
• What it pays for: according to the district, about half goes to teacher pay, a quarter to more than 900 teaching positions in arts, music, physical education and choice and career programs, and a quarter to school police and student mental health services.
• Oversight: an Independent Citizens Oversight Committee of local volunteers reviews spending.

2. The $280 million parks bond

The ballot title is "Parks, Sports, Recreational Facilities and Botanical Gardens to Be Financed by General Obligation Bonds." The county could borrow up to $280 million to modernize aging parks and botanical gardens, expand sports complexes, add beach access and trail connections, and develop new regional parks. The bonds would be repaid through countywide property taxes within 20 years.

• What it costs: the League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County lists an estimated $5 per $100,000 of taxable value, appearing on tax bills no earlier than fiscal year 2030.
• Close to home: projects include a multisport fieldhouse at Okeeheelee Park and an expanded equestrian center at Loxahatchee Groves Park, according to Stet News, along with an off-highway-vehicle sports complex at 20-Mile Bend.

3. The $175 million library bond

The ballot title is "Library District Expansion and Modernization Program to Be Financed by General Obligation Bonds." Only voters inside the Palm Beach County Library District vote on it. The Town-Crier reports that the western communities and all of unincorporated Palm Beach County are within the district.

• What it costs: about $6 per $100,000 of taxable value, starting no earlier than fiscal year 2030. Library Director Douglas Crane told WLRN a home assessed at $400,000 would pay about $24 a year.
• What it pays for: more than half of the roughly $326 million Library Expansion Program III, including a new Main Library and renovations to existing branches, with construction spread over about 15 years.

What supporters say

• Schools: "If the referendum is not renewed, teachers would face an immediate pay cut averaging $8,000 annually," district communications chief Sean Cooley told the Town-Crier, adding that more than 900 teaching positions would be eliminated. The Palm Beach County Classroom Teachers Association supports renewal.
• Accountability: "An Independent Citizens Oversight Committee, which is composed of local volunteers, monitors every dollar collected and spent," Cooley said.
• Libraries: "Library buildings require renovation approximately every 20 years to maintain safe, functional and inviting spaces for our residents," Crane said. "As well, the library system is expanding locations to meet the needs of our growing population."
• Parks: county officials say the bonds would pay for the parks master plan, from modernizing older facilities to adding new parks and trails.

What skeptics say

• No organized opposition yet. The League of Women Voters, which supports all three measures, lists no known opponents for any of them.
• Trust in spending. A former district teacher who now homeschools told CBS12 she doesn't trust the district to spend the money the way it says it will, and argued there is enough money elsewhere in the budget to pay teachers.
• Tax fatigue. CBS12 reported that some voters who back Amendment 3's larger homestead exemptions may also be inclined to vote against new or continued local taxes, and that some families who have left public schools may feel they shouldn't pay for a service they don't use.
• New debt. The parks and library questions would add new debt-service lines to property tax bills for up to 20 years. If they fail, the library system says it would keep relying on its existing tax revenue and developer impact fees, which would stretch out its expansion timeline.

How Amendment 3 fits in

Statewide Amendment 3 would substantially increase homestead exemptions. School taxes are excluded from it, but county officials have warned that parks, libraries and public safety could feel the squeeze if it passes. Crane told WLRN a $250,000 homestead exemption would cut library revenue by about 28 percent. WLRN has also reported that school districts worry voters may confuse Amendment 3 with the school referendum. For background, see our explainer on why Wellington didn't lower its tax rate, and Amendment 3.

Where to check your ballot

Early voting runs through Sunday, Nov. 1. For the closest sites, see our guide to early voting locations near Wellington.

Your exact ballot depends on where you live. Check your sample ballot, early voting sites and vote-by-mail status with the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections. The school district has more on its measure at palmbeachschools.org, and the library system at pbclibrary.org.

What do you think?

Are these three measures worth it for Palm Beach County's schools, parks and libraries, or should the county find the money elsewhere? For another debate over growth out west, see the data center moratorium and Project Tango.

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