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Issue #17 on the Ballot in November

The West Carrollton School District will have Issue #17 on the Nov. 3, 2020 ballot to renew a 5.5 mill Operating Levy. The Operating Levy was originally passed in 2016 as a 5-year limited term levy. A renewal of the Operating Levy means no new taxes for residents.

 

A “mill” does not equate to a million. The levy generates $2.08 million for daily operations and provides approximately 5% of the District’s General Fund revenue. “Passage of the Operating Levy Renewal is critical to supporting the core mission of our schools and critical to preserving the district’s financial stability,” stated West Carrollton School District Treasurer, Ryan Slone. The current cost of the operating levy is $182.43 annually for a home with a market value of $100,000 (per the County Auditor). 

 

Ohio House Bill 920, passed in 1976, freezes a district's income on voted levies by adjusting the millage when property values are adjusted every 3 years by the County Auditor. When property values were adjusted in 2018, the 5.5 millage was reduced to 5.21 mills. It is estimated the millage will be reduced from 5.21 to approximately 4.82 when property values are adjusted in 2021. Increases in property values are offset by reductions in the millage. The school district’s revenue from the levy remains the same, and the cost to the taxpayer remains the same.

 

Three different property tax options school districts in Ohio may put on the ballot include:

 

Building Bond Issue 

Funds may only be used for new construction, renovation, upgrades to a facility, or related site improvements. A Building Bond Issue was passed by the community in November, 2019.

 

Operating Levy 

Funds may only be used for the day to day operating costs of the district. Examples would be personnel costs, textbooks, technology, utilities, custodial services, transportation, facility maintenance and supplies. The last Operating Levy was a 5-year limited term levy for 5.5 mills and passed in November, 2016. The levy generates $2.08 million for daily operations. 

 

Permanent Improvement Levy 

Funds may only be used for large maintenance or equipment costs. Examples would be a building roof, a new school bus, building security systems or parking lot pavement projects. The Permanent Improvement Levy was passed in 1996.

 

The levy or bond issue funds generated are separated into accounts by the school district treasurer. Spending from those accounts may only be used for the purpose that the levy or bond issue was passed. Example: Funds from a Building Bond Issue may not be used for operating costs, maintenance or equipment. The treasurer oversees all of the accounts and the State of Ohio conducts audits of district accounting.