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Greenon may seek two levies in May

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By Megan Gildow, Staff Writer 5:45 PM Monday, February 8, 2010

ENON — Greenon Local Schools board members will decide this week whether to move forward with two planned levies for the May 4 ballot.

The Greenon Board of Education will meet Thursday, Feb. 11, and is expected to vote on resolutions to place a 3-mill property tax and a 0.75-percent income tax levies, both for operating expenses, on the ballot.

If approved by voters in May, the five-year, 3-mill property tax levy would cost $92 a year for the owner a $100,000 home.

The 0.75-percent ongoing income tax would cost $300 a year for a $40,000 income and would not include pensions, social security or unemployment benefits.

This will be the first time since 1996 that Greenon has sought new funding for operations from its local taxpayers, said Treasurer Dawn Weller.

But costs continue to rise and the district lost about $500,000 in taxes recently due to the elimination of personal tangible property tax, a tax on equipment of businesses.

“It is a horrible time to dig into the community’s pocket books but we have prolonged the need to go on the ballot as long as we can through budget reductions,” Weller said.

Greenon postponed putting a levy on the ballot last spring by reducing personnel, purchased services, professional development, equipment, supplies and software to shave $750,000 off the budget.

The board initially intended to combine the property tax and income tax into one issue but discovered that was not allowed in Ohio for this type of levy, said Weller.

“We do need both levies to pass,” she said.

Officials wanted to divide the burden instead of seeking just a property tax or the 1 percent or higher income tax it would need to sustain the district’s finances, she said.

The board meets at 7 p.m. Thursday in the media center of Indian Valley Middle School.

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0373 or mgildow@coxohio.com.

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Out of Towner.....I agree with your concerns with the property tax and your family's situation. I wish we could find a better situation for all......I visit Greenon often and the place is in BAD shape....the community just seems to always say that "they don't spend money wisely" and that "the building is fine", yet they refuse to show up and tour it when it is open to the public to view how it is falling apart. I just want what is best for the kids and do "Highly" respect our senior citizens.

Dave
5:39 PM, 2/12/2010

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What I should have said in the beginning is, I don't think property taxes is the most appropriate way to raise money for the schools. Houses built in the 1950s were well built and have appreciated over the years. It makes it harder any harder for seniors to keep their family homes if the taxes become unaffordable. I don't have any ideas yet, as to a better source of funding; but, it deserves some thoughtful consideration. In my opinion, the days of free "public school" are probably numbered.

Out of Towner
10:15 AM, 2/12/2010

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Out of Towner.....I understand about your parents and "Yes" I hope that there is something we can do for them. I do not want to bully anyone, that's why this will be voted on.....these are opinions. I am not sure why it was okay for the community to "ALL" pay taxes for the schools when you were younger and now it should change to younger parents only. To me that is part of living in a community. I still believe $1 a day is not asking too much. I guess we agree to disagree.

Dave
11:41 AM, 2/11/2010

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Dave: I'm not the senior citizen, and I actually live out of state! My parents still live there and they are almost 90. If I lived in the area I would do what one reader suggested and get up a petition to have seniors exempt. Seniors should be protected and respected, not bullied for their last dime. They've already paid and now it is time for the younger parents to step up. Again, my parents took responsibility for their own children and today's parents have to do the same.

Out of Towner
10:19 AM, 2/11/2010

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Out of Towner......I only ask that seniors support the school district...period. GLS have shown their responsiblilty by not asking for more money in 14 years. It is time to step up and help. Unfortunately...No...we can't say "enough". If we all had that mentality there wouldn't be much left. At what point do "YOU" decide to stop funding your schools in your district. Let's see you walk into that school and tell those kids you have had enough. You obviously can afford the internet.

Dave
8:06 PM, 2/10/2010

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