SARASOTA COUNTY — The Sarasota County School Board on Tuesday approved an increased millage rate mandated by the state of Florida, which will raise taxes for homeowners slightly.

During a short meeting that began at 5:15 p.m., Al Weidner, deputy chief financial officer for the district, explained the increase of the school millage rate to 7.816 in fiscal year 2012-13, up from 7.635 in 2011-12. It includes an increase in required local effort — dictated by the state, not by the School Board — of 4.568 mills, up from 4.387.