DANVILLE — Danville superintendent Jason Snively has learned a thing or two from last year’s razor-thin margin of votes needed for the former permanent improvement levy’s passage.
Danville’s 2022 levy failed in a tie — 591 votes split, according to the Knox County Board of Elections.
“I think this time we learned from it,” Snively said. “I think it brought a lot of attention to things, got a lot of eyes opened about what’s going on here in the district and the needs of the district.”
In that vein, the 2023 renewable income tax levy is not the same levy as 2022’s measure. The levy committee has put an increased focus on communicating with Danville voters, outlining what the levy would achieve for the school district.
The 1.25% tax levy is expected to generate over $1,051,000 in revenue if it passes.
If it doesn’t pass, the district will have to start looking at ways to be more fiscally conservative and not take away from the kids, Snively said.
Operating expenditures include salaries and benefits, materials/supplies, safety and security measures like cameras, bus repairs and parts.
Items like upgrading facilities, repairing, and resealing parking lots, and athletic field maintenance are some areas that would be first on the list of budget cuts, according to the district’s levy release statement.
Look at the picture’s in this article to see how the levy reflects your income bracket.
The levy’s 20+ year history
Danville Local Schools passed a .50% continuing traditional income tax that went into effect Jan. 1, 1990. An additional 1.5% passed for five years Jan. 1, 1999; this was renewed twice, according to the release.
The release also states in January 2010, the non-continuing income tax was passed at 1.25% for five years and was renewed for 10 years.
In November 2015, the board of education voted to reduce the non-continuing portion of the income tax to 1%.
Since the original renewal was 1.25% the board is required to ask that percentage in the November election for this current renewal.