SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. -- Taxpayers could soon have to pay more for schools. The Seminole County School District is expected to consider an increase in residents' property tax millage rate and that means homeowners could be paying $45 more per year.

However, the plan came shortly after the school district received millions from the federal government.

"There's a sense of relieve and we're very thankful," said parent Susan Carrier.

Carrier has watched the dollars pour into her school district from the state and federal stimulus, cutting a $65 million deficit to $15 million.

Carrier says she'll happily help fill the rest of the gap with higher property taxes.

"I don't mind. I know that some other people do mind. But I put those things in priority," she said.

Roger Hall is a resident who does mind the tax increase.

Seminole County's average homeowner is set to pay $36 more next year in new state required millage tax. The school district's leaders want to tack on an extra $9 of optional new millage.

Hall says they're small increases that add up.

"The electric bill started going up. Everything started going up, but no work," he said.

"What we want to do is utilize that money for non-recurring expenses. Things like new computer systems and the restoration of summer school," said Seminole County Superintendent Bill Vogel.

Even while the county government froze taxes during the tough economy, the district insists the additional millage money can't wait.

"What I look at is it's an investment in the quality of education in Seminole County," said Vogel.

However, in a county where strong education means strong property values, many taxpaying parents may agree.

"Personally I find that to be a very small amount to put towards my children and our children's future," said Carrier.

The school board will make the final decision on a millage increase after several public hearings. The proposed increases would bring in more than $7 million to the district.